Don Pfanz Passed Away

[General Casey]

NPS Ranger and author of probably the best book on Richard Ewell, Don Pfanz, died on September 2.

Donald Crittenden Pfanz Obituary September 2, 2025 - Laurel Hill Memorial Park and Funeral Home

View Donald Crittenden Pfanz's obituary, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

obits.laurelhillfuneralhome.com

 

[SWS]

His book gave me a soft spot for Ewell. Part of me wonders how he would have fared as a soldier of Tennessee rather than Virginia, far from Lee and the Trimbles, Earlys, Sandie Pendletons, and Gordons of the world.

 

[milhistbuff1]

NPS Ranger and author of probably the best book on Richard Ewell, Don Pfanz, died on September 2.

Donald Crittenden Pfanz Obituary September 2, 2025 - Laurel Hill Memorial Park and Funeral Home

View Donald Crittenden Pfanz's obituary, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

obits.laurelhillfuneralhome.com

Another vacant chair, my deepest condolences. Long will he be remembered.

 

[redbob]

I enjoyed his books, may he rest in peace.

 

[jackt62]

His biography of Ewell is one of the most detailed and well written of any CW general that I have read.

 

[ErnieMac]

Another gone too soon.

 

[rpkennedy]

This year has sucked for our community.

Rest in peace.

Ryan

 

[milhistbuff1]

His ABT Profile. I see the family requested donations go to them. Alternatively, CVBT has an active appeal for 7.2 acres, 3rd Mass. Lt Arty position with lunettes near Po River between Wilderness Spotsylvania.

 

[Jamieva]

Cancer sucks. Too young

 

[Tom Elmore]

Both he and his father left an everlasting mark on Civil War research.

 

[gc45]

He is free now, may he rest in peace with all who preceded him.

 

[Pollaco]

From what I've read about him we have alot to be thankful for. Didn't some of his efforts help reclaim some of the battlefield around Gettysburg?

 

[milhistbuff1]

From what I've read about him we have alot to be thankful for. Didn't some of his efforts help reclaim some of the battlefield around Gettysburg?

I wouldn't be surprised. He was one of the folks who stepped up for preservation after Chantilly... I put his ABT bio upthread and the funeral home obit has even more detail...

 

[JohnnyReb421745]

My condolences to his family. Another great historian gone too soon. Hopefully he is having a long insightful chat with Ewell right now.

 

[milhistbuff1]

Touching tributes on ECW here

 

[gary]

Don helped me with my research and I finally got to meet him personally near Fredericksburg where they were hosting a talk about negro spirituals. He was operating the sound system at that time. RIP Ranger Pfanz.

 

[121st PA Vols]

Both he and his father left an everlasting mark on Civil War research.

I'll second that Tom. Well said! They were immense talents and losses.

 

[Cavalier]

Along with his father, a true standard bearer for the entire community of civil war scholars.

They both have my undying admiration.

John

 

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

NPS Ranger and author of probably the best book on Richard Ewell, Don Pfanz, died on September 2.

Donald Crittenden Pfanz Obituary September 2, 2025 - Laurel Hill Memorial Park and Funeral Home

View Donald Crittenden Pfanz's obituary, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

obits.laurelhillfuneralhome.com

He had an interesting middle name: "Crittenden."