Theodore F. Peltzer, 74, died Monday, September 10, 2018, at his home. Ted was born on December 16, 1943 in Atchison to William and Mary Catherine DeMar Peltzer. He grew up in Atchison, causing much mischief with his brothers and friends in the Reisner Park neighborhood.

A week after graduating from Maur Hill Prep School in 1961, Ted left for Marine Corps boot camp, wanting to see the world. He spent five years as a proud Marine, serving three tours of duty in Vietnam. During his time in Vietnam, his lifelong passion for photography was born.

Ted returned to Atchison in 1966 where he met the love of his life, Sharon Hicks. They married on July 15, 1967, and raised their family – four daughters and a son – in Atchison. Ted worked for 40 years for Midwest Grain Products, beginning as a welder and moving to management of the purchasing department before retiring in 2008. An early computer fan, he introduced an IT system to the company in the 1980s. He made his love of photography into a second career and he shot many Atchison couples’ engagement and wedding photos over the course of the 1970s and 80s.

Bored with retirement, he took over the bookkeeping at Commercial Vending, working with his brother Joe, where he spent many weekday mornings keeping abreast of the goings-on in Atchison with his friends and fellow retirees.

Ted loved his family and was highly involved in his children’s and grandchildren’s activities, from attending piano and ballet recitals to coaching youth baseball with his buddy, the late Jimmy Denton, and was very proud of all they accomplished. He enjoyed providing commentary to Atchison High football and basketball games with his friends Stevie Wilson and Jesse Greenly, and was a very blue stronghold in a deeply red state.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Sharon, his parents, and a brother, Peter Peltzer. He is survived by his children: Jennifer Peltzer, Jill Peltzer (Forrest Whitlow), Courtney Peltzer-Hoenicke (Henning), Megan Peltzer, Eric Peltzer (Carla); his grandchildren: Paige Peltzer, Lily Beagle, Henry and Holden Hoenicke, Royal and Augie Peltzer, Marie, Katelyn, Bailey, and Caroline Bradshaw; a great-grandchild: Neveah Edwards; his siblings: Bill Peltzer, Joe Peltzer, Theresa Stephens, Dixie Highberger, and Bernadette Stinson; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 15, 2018, at 11:00 am at Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home; visitation with the family will be from 10:00-11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Semper fi Fund to assist wounded veterans and may be left in care of the funeral home.  Online condolences may be left at www.arensbergpruett.com.