In Memory of Don Pfanz: Chris Kolakowski

I knew Don for nearly 30 years, from the time I started as a seasonal employee at Fredericksburg in 1997 and he was the staff historian. I helped him with several research projects and used his products quite often. Anyone who researches at the park owes a tremendous debt to his various research projects and his organization of the brilliant Bound Volumes sources.

Don made contributions beyond Fredericksburg, chiefly in two areas. First was his scholarship, which was outstanding and written in a clear style reminiscent of his father. (Don’s biography of Ewell is essential to understanding the general at Gettysburg.) Second was his quiet but devoted support of battlefield preservation. He helped launch the modern movement with the Association for the Preservation of Civil War Sites (APCWS), and always remained a staunch supporter of that organization and its successors. Although maybe not as well-known as some of his co-founders, Don made critical contributions to build and sustain the efforts.

Either one would be major legacies; taken together, they are truly remarkable.

On top of all this, Don was a super great guy. He was also very modest, letting his record and reputation speak for itself. He was a historian’s historian, who made great contributions to the field. I respected him greatly. He will be missed.