Peter K. Zanger

Naugatuck - Peter K. Zanger, 74, died peacefully at his home on Sunday, April 2, 2023.

Mr. Zanger was born May 7, 1948, in Allentown, PA. He was the son of the late George O. Zanger Jr. and Helen R. Zanger. He grew up in the Emmaus area with his two sisters Susan and Judy, and his brother George. He grew up with a very strong work ethic. At the age of fifteen, he worked as a golf caddy. As a young adult, he had served in the military as an 88M in the Army National Guard, as well as the Air Guard. He graduated from Lehigh University where he received a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. He utilized this degree to help pioneer the software engineering field, even establishing some patents along the way. He retired from his career with Pitney Bowes in Danbury CT.

Mr. Zanger was a family man who is survived by his sister Susan Nester, son Gregory Zanger, daughter Kelly Caisse, and his grandsons. The job he was truly gifted at was being a father. He raised his children with their mother, Rozanne Zanger, in Illinois, Texas, and finally settled in Connecticut. He put each of them through the University of Connecticut on to different career paths, guiding them along the way. When they messed up he didn't hesitate to tell them, but he was also the one who helped them learn what went wrong and to never do that again. He was always there from the beginning to the very end. To his children, he was a teacher, a coach, a bicycle mechanic, a car mechanic, a mentor, a career advisor, a financial advisor, a cook, a gardener, a landscaper, a plumber, a DIY expert, a safety net, a counselor, a pillar of strength, an example, a loving dad, a man of few words, and a proud father. And some might say he was an even better grandfather to his two grandsons, Preston and Samuel. He was with them as much as he could be and spending time with them was his sole purpose in retired life. He loved them very much and he loved the time he spent with his family.

He wasn’t just a hard worker, he wasn’t just a great dad, he was an individual like the rest of us. He had his childhood, teenage years, and college experiences. Many stories we will never know. We know for sure he had hilarious ones, embarrassing ones, and good ones. He even had a few near-death experiences, like when his car got pushed underneath a semi-truck cutting off the roof. He loved to laugh and have a good time. He would be quiet and serious too. He was content and proud, but never prideful. He was very, very independent. He had his daily routines. He was conscientious, considerate, and never wasteful. If something broke, he fixed it. If something needed to be done, he had a strong sense of urgency. If there was an emergency, he would never panic. He also liked to just relax watching TV and watch his favorite shows like Star Trek. He loved being outside whether he was hiking, going to the park, playing tennis, or just doing yard work. He never wanted the hassle of pets, but when he had one, he always loved it. He was a very genuine, kindhearted, well-intentioned man who you could always trust. He was always there, and now he isn’t here anymore. There will always be parts of him in our hearts and memories and he will be deeply missed.