Dwight Charles Wenger

Dwight Charles Wenger was born in Bethel Hospital (Memorial) in Colorado Springs on August 4, 1922 to Mabel Phylena (Moyer) and Charles Frederick Wenger. Dwight’s father was a minister and served in the churches of Pleasant Plains and Kuhns Crossing in rural Colorado.

Dwight attended Steele Elementary School, North Junior High School and graduated from Colorado Springs High School (Palmer) in 1940. He was active in Calvary Evangelical Church early in his childhood where his mother and maternal grandparents were founding members. It is here where Dwight met and fell in love with Irma Lee Evans. They were married on August 17, 1943 at Calvary Evangelical Church.

Dwight and Irma Lee traveled to Seattle, Washington after they were married where they both worked at Boeing—Dwight was a draftsman for the C97, B29 & B17 parts. Irma Lee worked in the final assembly of B17’s. They returned to Colorado Springs after the war was over in August 1945.

Dwight was an avid golfer, an interest sparked in him as a young man when he was a caddie at Patty Jewett Golf Club. He enjoyed hiking in the beautiful Colorado mountains and snow skiing. He was a skilled ping pong player, taking the City Championship in Doubles in 1941.

Dwight served as an usher for many years at the Broadmoor World Arena, particularly at CC hockey games but also for special events at the International Center.

Dwight loved to sing and was a gifted soloist. He sang in the church choir his entire life and even directed the Calvary church choir for several years. Dwight joined the Pikes Peak Barbershop Chorus and continued to sing with the group for 28 years.

Dwight developed a love affair with automobiles—every year he would take his kids downtown to see the “unveiling” of the next year’s models of cars in the Daniels Chevrolet showroom windows—a tradition his father had shared with him as a child. He developed a fascination with race cars after attending his first Pikes Peak Hill Climb in 1930. He attended every year until he was well into his 80’s taking photos of the cars racing up Pikes Peak. He was so good at identifying the cars, drivers and where a photo had been taken, that he was asked to serve as their historian helping to establish the Pikes Peak Hill Climb Museum. He attended the Over The Hill Gang annual reunions until he was 94.

Dwight was well known throughout Colorado Springs having worked as a commercial flooring estimator. He retired from El Paso Floor in 1991. In 1960, he became a charter member of the Colorado Springs Executives Association representing Region Tile. Dwight remained an honorary member of CSEA after retirement.

Dwight is survived by his wife of 73 years, Irma Lee (Evans), his daughter, Carol Royse (Robert), and sons Robert (Glenda) and Richard (Lois), six grandchildren: Alayna (Carlos) Jimenez, Robert (Kori) Royse, Danielle (William) Smeltzer, Jason (Ronda) Wenger, Sandy Wenger & Brian Wenger. He also has four great grandchildren—Dexter, Sydney, Ashlyn & Taylor.

Dwight was a gentle, loving man of integrity who loved God and lived his life of faith for all to witness. He loved his family and they all loved him. Even his great grandchildren can recall hearing Grandpa recite his rendition of the “Cinderella” spoonerism at family gatherings—complete with props!

His funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 9 at 11:00 AM at Calvary United Methodist Church, 4210 Austin Bluffs Pkwy, Colorado Springs. Memorial Gifts to Calvary UMC are welcomed in lieu of flowers.