Darrell Pflaster

Darrell James Pflaster, 81, of Overland Park, KS passed away peacefully on April 26, 2019.  He was born on April 22, 1938 in Broken Bow, NE to John H. and Verda I. (Lovitt) Pflaster.

Darrell was the youngest of three boys on a working ranch and farm.  He developed his strong work ethic at a young age, as he left home at 16 to help put his older brother Alvie through college.  Darrell worked as a truck driver in Salt Lake City, UT before being drafted into the U.S. Army in June 1961.  In 1965, he graduated from Officer Candidate School as a Distinguished Graduate and received his commission as a Second Lieutenant with the U.S. Army.  During his first combat tour in Vietnam from 1967-68, he was assigned to the 4/60 Field Artillery Battalion in Pleiku (Dusters and Quad 50s).  In 1971, Darrell attended rotary wing pilot training and soon after became an instructor helicopter pilot.  During 1971-72, he returned to Vietnam and flew with the 1st Aviation Brigade based in Dong Tam where he was decorated for his bravery.  Darrell spent over 20 years overseas in the service of his country.  He was based in Panama, Germany, Vietnam and South Korea.  From 1982 until his retirement from the Army in 1988, he worked in the Operations Branch of the U.S. Army Europe in Heidelberg, Germany.  He remained in Germany as a civilian with the U.S. Army Europe where he received citations for his outstanding contributions. Among his many achievements was his significant role in planning, organizing, and implementing the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty between NATO and the Soviet Union.  He also played a significant role in the deployment of V Corps to Operation Desert Storm.  Darrell ultimately served in the U.S. Army for 27 years; retiring in 1988 as a Lieutenant Colonel. During 2000, Darrell worked as a consultant to the Republic of Croatia’s Ministry of Defense in Zagreb.  In later years, Darrell advised and consulted military veterans on their requests for benefits.

Darrell was preceded in death by his father and mother, John and Verda Pflaster, his brothers Dwayne H. Pflaster and Alvie E. Pflaster.

Darrell is survived by his wife, Marga T. Pflaster, their two sons; Daniel J. Pflaster and wife Shari of Olathe, KS; Paul D. Pflaster and wife Natalie of Glenwood Springs, CO; four grandchildren, Erin L. Grimes, John D. Pflaster, Isabella M. Pflaster, and Luke P. Pflaster.

Visitation will be held Saturday, May 4, 2019, from 1-3 p.m. at the Johnson County Funeral Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, KS 66210.

Darrell was a devoted patriot and supported U.S. military veteran’s causes.  In lieu of flowers, Darrell would prefer donations may be made in his name to support worthy Veteran charities such as the Wounded Warrior Project, located on the web at support.woundedwarriorproject.org. A special thanks to his friends at Overtime for their friendship and camaraderie.