David Pfankuchen

MADISON- David Pfankuchen died Tuesday, March 3, 2009, at St. Mary's Hospital. He was born August 7, 1933, in Madison, son of Llewellyn E. and Gretchen (Kohler) Pfankuchen. David was a 1951 graduate of West High School in Madison. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and went on to graduate from the University of Minnesota in 1958, with a B.A. degree in journalism. He was the news editor of the Madelia Times-Messenger in Madelia, Minnesota, from 1958-1960. He was subsequently hired by the Racine Journal Times in 1960. Starting out in Racine as a general assignment reporter, he covered the business and labor beat from 1961-1987. In 1980, he received the first place award from the Wisconsin Newspaper Association for investigative reporting. David gravitated toward family and friends in Madison, and retired there in 1989. He was loyal to his many classmates from the West High class of '51 and to the old gang from the newspaper, as well as to friends from his storied life as a dixieland jazz aficionado. For decades, he carried on a voluminous correspondence- tapping with gusto on his Royal manual typewriter. Davidowned a rare and historic collection of photographs of jazz personalities, many taken during visits to New Orleans in the waning years of the last great dixieland musicians. His photographs were frequently sought by publications such as the Mississippi Rag and editors of books on jazz. He was an early investor in the Jazz Emporium in Mendota, Minnesota, where the Hall Brothers Jazz Band performed and which he frequently photographed. He was on the Board of Directors of the Dane County Historical Society, a member of the Madison Jazz Society, and the United Nations Association. Davidwas a veteran of the United States Army from 1954 until 1956. He was stationed in the United States, France and Bavaria during the Korean War. He most enjoyed listening to his vast collection of jazz recordings, and was an avid reader, especially of World War II history. He is survived by his sister, Heidi P. Gottman, of Madison. He was preceded in death by their parents. Visitations will be on Friday, March 13, from 4-7:00 p.m. at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, and before the service on Saturday, March 14 from 10-11 a.m. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 14, at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.