Harry W. Pfanz

[Eric Wittenberg]

I am being advised this evening that Harry W. Pfanz, the author of three superb micro tactical battle studies of the Battle of Gettysburg, has passed away. If so, Mr. Pfanz made very substantial contributions to our understanding of the great battle with clear prose and superb research skills. Some of you may know his son Don. RIP, Mr. Pfanz, and thank you for the fine work you did.

 

[JerseyBart]

Wow! I am currently reading his book on Cemetery and Culp's' Hill.
RIP Mr. Pfanz. Thank you for your many contributions to Civil War history.

 

[cash]

Sad news. RIP. He definitely made outstanding contributions, both in his books and when he was the Chief Historian at Gettysburg.

 

[Elennsar]

No words of mine canl be adequate to this occasion.

He was the sort that made the discipline of history an undertaking that deserves to be honored for itself, regardless of what it offers present.

 

[W. Richardson]

Very sad news to hear. He was such a fabulous historian and author. May you rest in peace Mr. Pfanz and may God console your family for it's loss.

Respectfully,

William

 

[ole]

Bad and sad news. He was a oner. We've lost another treasure.

 

[chellers]

RIP Harry W. Pfanz

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

So sorry to hear this, much condolences to his family and thank you Mr. Pfanz for your veritable Cyclorama in a book. Took climbing stairs composed of many, many books on Gettysburg before it was possible to kind of deserve beginning this read, like to say Thank You. Hope your rest finds you talking over the great battle maybe with those who were there, Heaven indeed.

 

[nitrofd]

Tha is sad news..

 

[War Horse]

My condolences to his family. We lost a gifted historian.

 

[KeyserSoze]

When his wife died about 6 or 7 years ago the obit said they had been married 56 years. Obviously Harry Pfanz had a long and productive life, and left an impressive body of work to be remembered by.

 

[Pat Young]

The three Gettysburg books were my guide to the battle.

 

[MRB1863]

May God rest Mr Pfanz's soul and keep him as Heaven's Historian. Thank you Harry W. Pfanz for enriching my Civil War study.

 

[BillO]

The three Gettysburg books were my guide to the battle.

I recently finished the first day book and I'm looking forward to the rest.

 

[Gandycreek]

I've read and thoroughly enjoyed his books. Rest in Peace Mr. Pfanz.

 

[107th PV]

Dr. Pfanz's books area must for any serious student of the battle.
Rest in peace Dr. Pfanz, you will be missed.

 

[ErnieMac]

I own all three of Dr. Pfanz's Gettysburg books. They were exceptional. He will be missed.

 

[Nathanb1]

Like someone else said....I'm sure he's interviewing participants and asking questions right now in heaven. Darn.

 

[Eric Wittenberg]

Unfortunately, what I heard was true. Mr. Pfanz, by the way, was one of the more notable alumni of my wife's high school.

Harry Willcox Pfanz, 93, Civil War author and former chief historian of the National Park Service, died of natural causes at his home in Gaithersburg, Md., on Jan. 27. Dr. Pfanz grew up on a farm near Columbus, Ohio.

During World War II, he served as a lieutenant in the 912th Field Artillery Battalion and was seriously wounded at the Battle of the Bulge. He later earned a Ph.D. from Ohio State University before moving to Washington, D.C., where he worked as an historian for the Department of the Army. Dr. Pfanz accepted a position at Gettysburg National Military Park in 1956. Over the next 10 years he rose to become the park's chief historian and earned a reputation as the battle's foremost authority. His three books about Gettysburg, written after his retirement in 1981, are still considered by many to be the most definitive books on the subject.

In 1966, Dr. Pfanz accepted a position at the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, and was its superintendent when the structure was opened to the public in 1968. In 1971, he left St. Louis and returned to Washington, becoming the National Park Service's chief historian in 1974. As a result of his accomplishments in Washington, he received the Department of the Interior's Meritorious Service Award, Special Achievement Award, and its Distinguished Service Award. A devout Christian, Pfanz held many positions while a member of Christ Lutheran Church. He also served as vice-president of Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honorary fraternity; president of the Gettysburg Civil War Round Table; and resident of the Gettysburg-Adams County Torch Club.

Dr. Pfanz was preceded in death by his wife, Letitia Earll, and his eldest daughter, Letitia Elizabeth Pfanz. Three children survive him: Frederick, of Columbus, Ohio; Donald of Fredericksburg, Virginia; and Marion Ake of Woodsboro, Maryland. He has five grandchildren.

 

[R. Evans]

Sad news. RIP Mr. Pfanz.