David  A. Wanzer, 69, of Pine Street, husband of Susan (Gahagan) Wanzer, died Saturday November 28, 2009 in the Beverly Hospital following his sudden illness.

Born January 23, 1940 in Colchester, VT, son of Catherine (Gleason) and the late Glenfred A. Wanzer, he was raised and educated in Ipswich, a 1959 graduate of Ipswich High School. He continued his education at Suffolk University, receiving his Bachelors in political science in 1963 and then served with the US Coast Guard Reserves for the next six years. Following his discharge he went on earn his Masters in Education at Salem State University. Married in 1968, the Wanzers made their home and started their family in Danvers, returning to Ipswich in 1976. Mr. Wanzer was employed as an insurance adjuster for the Travelers Insurance Company, later working for the Citigroup, retiring in 1997 after more than thirty years of service. In retirement he worked seasonally for the I.R.S. in Andover as a customer service representative.

He was a longtime member of the Ascension Memorial Church of Ipswich where he served on the Building and Grounds Committee, a member of the Essex Peabody Museum, a member of the New England Historic Genealogical Society of Boston, and during the late 1970’s and early 80’s was a member of the Ipswich Lions Club. He was an avid golfer and tennis player. He golfed with the Hillview Seniors Golf League in Peabody. He also enjoyed cycling, genealogy, and loved boating in the local waters with his family and friends.

In addition to his wife of forty-one years he is survived by a son, Adam D. Wanzer of Somerville; a daughter, Nicole Wanzer Wartels and her husband Wyatt of San Francisco; a brother Steven Wanzer and his wife Lana of Huber Heights, OH;  two sisters, Katherine E. Lane and her husband Chuck of Andover and Sally Robertson and her husband Barry of Danvers; his sister-in-law, Margie Wanzer of Columbus, GA, wife of his late brother Larry, his brother-in-law Edward McDonald of Peabody, husband of his late sister Judith, and many nephews and nieces. He was also the brother of the late  Susan Judd  of Ipswich.

His Funeral Service will be held Thursday December 3, 2009 at 11 am in The Ascension Memorial Church, 31 County Street, Ipswich followed by interment in the New Highland Cemetery, Ipswich. Family and friends are respectfully welcomed. Visiting hours are Wednesday 4 to 8 pm in the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home, 6 High Street, Ipswich. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, 60 East 56^th Street, 8^th Floor, New York, NY, 10022 (www.bcrfcure.org)