Theodore G. Enger

Theodore G. Enger (99) of Sun City, AZ passed away on May 27, 2025. Ted was born in Montana to Matilda Pritchard and Theodore Olaf Enger. Ted was later united with his paternal grandparents in Eau Claire, WI. He worked side jobs to buy his own bed during the Great Depression and graduated early from high school to join the U.S. Army as an Infantryman. Ted was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 355th Infantry Regiment, 89th Infantry Division (part of General Patton’s Army). His unit joined the struggle against Nazi Germany in January 1945 after the Battle of the Bulge and fought their way east for the next four months, crossing the Rhine River in small boats under enemy fire in March. They were one of the first American units to overrun a Nazi concentration camp at Ohrdruf. Ted was often assigned dangerous missions where he went ahead of the main force to scout enemy positions. He also worked for the Star and Stripes, Germany Edition after the war. He earned the Bronze Star and Combat Infantrymen’s Badge for his actions during the war. He returned to the U.S. and used the GI Bill to attend the Univ. of Montana. He later served again during the Korean War in Germany, from 1950-53.

 He earned two master’s degrees, at the Univ. of Wisconsin and Northern Illinois Univ., and took a position as a professor teaching geography and the geo-sciences at Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania. He and his first wife Joan Enger (née Puerschner) (deceased in 2004) raised two children, Serena and Christopher. Ted created a program of geo science field trips he led across the western U.S. and Canada. His philosophy was get outside, see the country, and have an adventure. He contributed to the International Studies program and spent a year teaching in England on an exchange program. In the 1970s, Ted was selected as part of a government sponsored team to go to and study the Japanese economy and culture to foster cooperation between the U.S. and Japan. 

Once retired, Ted moved to AZ in 1991 and was a golfer, pianist, and bridge master. He married his second wife, Nancy Enger (née Hill) in Sun City who pre-deceased him. Ted was adventurous, loved dogs, cars, music, and had a good sense of humor. Ted enjoyed football and was a Green Bay Packers fan, fisherman, and camped throughout the US and Canada. He was a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. Ted is survived by his daughter Serena (David) and son Chris (Jane) and grandchildren Micaela (Chase), Maxwell (Greg), and great-granddaughter Charlotte. Ted will be missed by his family and many friends at his Sun City residential complex. He will be laid to rest in the Pikes Peak National Cemetery with military honors near Colorado Springs, Colorado. Contributions to his memory can be made to the American Red Cross and the National Park Foundation.