George Arthur Menzer

George Arthur Menzer, a.k.a. “Fireman George”, was born on September 18, 1937, to Ruby and Art Menzer. George was many things to many people and a life-long learner, and appreciator of Colorado and the history of the Pikes Peak region. Growing up, he worked daily on his family-owned and operated north-end dairy farm (El Paso Dairy). George graduated from Colorado Springs High School and attended Colorado College, majoring in geology, played the trumpet in the marching band, and was a back-up goalie for the CC Tigers. 

His passion was driving and he was a master heavy equipment operator and worked numerous summer and part-time jobs, including dam construction at Alma, Colorado. After high school and for many years later, he was a popular and requested local tour driver for R & P Scenic Tours and bus tours for The Broadmoor. He owned one of the first Corvettes in Colorado Springs and was a Charter Member of the Colorado Springs Corvette Club, serving as President (1962 and 1963).

He joined the United States Army on September 10, 1961. After basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas, he was assigned to Battery “B”, 3rd Missile Battalion, 68th Artillery at Farmington Minnesota, before coming to ARADCOM Headquarters in Colorado Springs, in March of 1962. His term of service expired on June 8, 1964. 

George was hired by the Colorado Springs Fire Department on October 9, 1964, and promoted to rank of Driver/Engineer on September 20, 1968, and retired on January 8, 1990. In addition to his service to the CSFD, he operated his family ranch, Turkey Canon Ranch, and enjoyed sharing it with others, served as Edison Elementary School PTA President for 1968 and 1969, was a popular leader for both Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts, he regularly took groups of boys to summer hockey camps in Vail and Aspen and was always available for many of these young people throughout the years. He was a talented public speaker who was frequently called upon. His kindness, fun-loving ways, sense of humor, and generous heart are fond memories for countless individuals from many different times and places of his well-rounded world. 

After retirement, he married his second wife, Mary Carolyn Menzer (whom he met at the Corvette Club). They owned and operated WDS Truck Driving School, in Fountain Colorado, and enjoyed building a home and living in Miami, Oklahoma, before relocating back to Penrose, Colorado, in 2014. They enjoyed their mountain getaway “The Hill” in Westcliffe, Colorado. He loved taking his side-by-side out on his hobby farm in Penrose and spending time with his goats, miniature horses, and chickens. He was a lifetime member of the Magnificent Miniature Horse Club, a lifetime member of a motorcycle club, and an avid Avs fan. 

He is survived by his wife, Mary Carolyn Menzer, step-daughter Sherry Gile (Leroy and son Jack), step-son J.W. Webber (and son Matthew), daughter Gloria Menzer, son Randy Menzer (Laura) and two granddaughters Gillian Menzer, Audrey Menzer and first wife Kay. His fur babies, Tosha and Angel.

Driving was his life. Hours before his passing, on February 7, 2024, he complimented his AMR driver and thanked her for a job well done. He raced his Corvette in the Pikes Peak Hill Climb in the sports car division in 1959 and 1960. Per George’s request, there will not be a service. 

He loved life and lived each day by being the best man he could be. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Museum or the Lester L. Williams Fire Museum.

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