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Home » Campus News Latest » Obituaries » Richard Pannbacker, Former Faculty

Dr. Richard “Dick” Pannbacker, age 79 of Manhattan, Kansas, died Saturday, February 22, 2020, at Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community Dick was born in Clay Center, Kansas and raised on the family farm in Washington County, Kansas.

He was the only child of George and Leona Pannbacker. He graduated from Washington County High School and continued his education at Kansas State University receiving a bachelor of science degree in chemistry. In 1968 he completed his Ph.D. in bacteriology at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts.

His long career in science research and teaching took him from Antioch College in Yellow Spring, Ohio to St. Louis University in Missouri to the University of Colorado, Denver. He also spent several years teaching high school chemistry and served as an adjunct instructor teaching chemistry at KSU during summers.

During retirement, he and his wife traveled to Italy, Scandinavia, the Caribbean Islands, Alaska, and Hawaii. Dick loved woodworking; He built some pieces of furniture still in use in the home. But his favorite project was designing and creating jewelry boxes from exotic hardwoods; many of which he sold or gave away to friends. He also enjoyed singing and was a member of the Manhattan Barbershop Chorus.

Dr. Pannbacker is survived by his wife Candace (n`ee Lindquist) of the home and a step-son Christopher Hayden of Manhattan, Kansas. He is also survived by two daughters Laura Guerin, Gretchin Hurd and a son Christian Pannbacker, by his first marriage Cremation is planned.

A family remembrance gathering will be planned for a later date. Dick’s final resting place will be Sunrise Cemetery in Manhattan, Kansas Memorial contributions are suggested to the Kansas State University Chemistry Department. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502. Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com

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