CASTINE – The one and only Capt. David Lum Punzelt, 82, passed away Friday, April 20, 2012, at a Bangor hospital. He was born July 1, 1929, in Norwalk, Conn., to Katharine (Smith) Punzelt and Philip Muller Punzelt.
He grew up in Westport, Conn., where he attended Staples High School. David went on to graduate from New York State Maritime Academy, class of 1950. Upon graduation, he was employed as ship’s officer with US Steamship Company, during which time he upgraded his Merchant Marine license and obtained his New York harbor pilot’s license. His last ship with US Lines was the SS United States, famous for being the fastest passenger ship of its time. In 1955 he elected to activate his Navy commission and made a 30-year career in the Navy. After flight school in Pensacola, Fla., his 30-year flying status included assignments in Okinawa, Kwajalein and the Pentagon. He deployed on 10 aircraft carriers in a flying status. Besides flying five different types of helicopters, including the Sea King, his favorite aircraft was the F6F Hellcat. His last formal flying was as an admiral’s pilot on the C131. David and Carolyn retired to Castine in 1982. Retirement was a misnomer as he continued to serve his community, church, friends and family. Among his many activities, he was president of the Navy League, a volunteer ambulance driver for 18 years, and active in the Castine Golf Club. He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, where he served on the Bishop’s Committee and ushered for many years. His life cannot be summed up adequately in one newspaper column. To know him was to know that rare individual who comes along once in a millennium. David was a force of nature and a friend to all. Random acts of kindness, two dollar bills, chocolate kisses, and unicycles are his legacy.
He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Carolyn; and his devoted daughters, Margaret Ann Heppe and her husband, Howard, of Spotsylvania, Va., Elizabeth Ann Bibber and her husband, Jim, of Harpswell and Katharine Ann Morris and her husband, Woody, of Fairfax, Va.; five wonderful grandchildren, Sara, Scott and his wife, Erica, Andrew, Jake and Carly Ann; and finally his cherished sister, Jane Ann Herfort. He was predeceased by his brother, Philip Punzelt Jr.
Burial at Arlington National Cemetery will be held at a later date and a summer memorial service will be held at Trinity Church, date and time to be announced. Memorials in his name may be made to Trinity Church, 150 Perkins St., Castine, ME 04421 or to LifeFlight, P.O. Box 899, Camden, ME 04843 or at www.lifeflightmaine.org. A service of Brookings-Smith, Bangor. Condolences to the family may be expressed at
www.BrookingsSmith.com.