Mr. Richard Charles (Dick) Wanzer died Feb. 6, 2013.
He was born in Danbury, Conn. in 1922.
He is survived by Victoria, his wife of 61 years. Four sons: Mickey Wanzer (Sharon) of Vinton, Va., Rick Wanzer of Peachtree City, Steve Wanzer (Linda) of Gaithersburg, Md., Scott Wanzer (Laura) of Tucson, Ariz.; three grandchildren: Noelle of Linthicum Heights, Md., Kyle of Germantown, Md., Luke of Vinton, Va.; foster daughter Yang Zhang-Li (Ken); two foster grandchildren: Ashley and Alex Li of Fairfield, Conn.; numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his sisters, Margorie Orgovan and Louise Tomaino.
Shortly after entering college he was picked by his high school baseball coach to accompany him to the Yankee Stadium in New York City for the purpose of trying out for a major league baseball team. Being in the clubhouse of his beloved Yankees, and then to pitch for three innings from the pitcher’s mound was by far the thrill of his young life. His trip was only dampened in that he was chosen by the New York Giants rather than the New York Yankees.
He graduated from Western Connecticut State College and received his Master’s in Education from Columbia University. He served in WWII as a pilot and finance officer, and completed 53 combat missions in the Korean War. He retired from sales for Jewel Companies, Inc. He was Past Exalted Ruler of the Elks Lodge in Toccoa, Ga. and was co-founder, with his wife, of the Central Coast (California) Head Injury Support Program. He was a member of the Peachtree City Christian Church.
His proudest legacy to his survivors is the many dozens of tongue-in-cheek articles and poems, published and unpublished.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013 at 3 p.m. at Peachtree City Christian Church with Rev. Dr. George Dillard officiating. Those wishing may sign the online guestbook at www.parrottfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Peachtree City Christian Church or to the Wounded Warrior Project.
The family will receive visitors at the church from 2 until 3 p.m.
Parrott Funeral Home and Crematory in charge of arrangements.
