Daniel W Dienst

Lieutenant Colonel (ret.) Daniel W. Dienst, age 95 of Landisburg, PA, passed away from complications related to Parkinson’s disease on May 24, 2026.  Born in Coffeyville, KS on July 28, 1930, to the late Eugene Stanley and Ruby Viola (Mattlock) Dienst, Dan was a proud graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point (NY), Class of 1955, and career Army Infantry Officer who was wounded while serving in combat in Vietnam in 1966.  In Vietnam he was embedded as an advisor with South Vietnamese forces defending a village, conducting counterinsurgency operations where he supervised the construction of a U.S. funded high school for the children of the village.  Dan was an avid Army football fan and regularly attended Army football games and events including the annual Army-Navy football game rivalry.  At West Point, he was known as “Dangerous Dan of Coffeyville Kan.”  Throughout his 20-year Army career he served in many Cold War duty locations including South Korea, Germany, Okinawa, and Vietnam.

In addition to the Purple Heart awarded for the combat wound he sustained in a firefight, Dan earned the Combat Infantry Badge (awarded to infantry and Special Forces soldiers who have engaged in direct combat with the enemy), Ranger Tab by graduating from the Army’s grueling 61-day Ranger School at Fort Benning, GA, as well as the Parachute Badge.

After a successful 20-year Army career, Dan began his civilian career as the Radiological Control Officer for the Connecticut Office of Civil Preparedness where he was responsible for all nuclear contingency planning.  He retired the second time in 1995, after 17 years of service.  In addition to his professional work, Dan actively volunteered his time and service to his church, Rotary Club, and the 1955 Class of West Point.  He was a member of First Congregational Church of East Hartford, CT and St. Peter’s United Methodist Church of Katy, TX.  In addition to cheering on Army football, Dan enjoyed watching the Houston Texans and old movie Westerns on television.  He displayed artistry by whittling wooden figurines and drawing cartoons, and had an avid interest in military history as well as Native American history.  He was known for his devious sense of humor, his full head of hair, and long legs.

He is survived by three children:  Don W. Dienst (Kathy) of Marlborough, CT, Daniel E. Dienst (Martha) of Winchendon, MA, and Deborah Tissue (Phillip) of Landisburg, PA: two stepchildren; Robin Brodie (Steve) of Katy, TX, Jimmy Calano of Boulder, CO; nine grandchildren:  Austin Dienst, Corbin Dienst, Samantha Dienst, Nicholas Dienst, Piper Dienst, Jason Newton, Casey Park, William Tissue and Kyle Tissue; four step grandchildren:  JB Brodie, Tommy Brodie, Brandon Calano, and Carsen Calano; and two great grandchildren:  Ryan and Jason.  In addition to his parents, Dan is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 48 years, Loretta C. (Moir) Dienst, son Richard P. Dienst, and two siblings:  Doris Bryant and John Dienst.  He was also preceded in death by his first wife Dorothea (Jaenichen) Dienst.

Funeral services for Dan will be held privately and at the convenience of the family.  He will be interred with his late wife at West Point Cemetery. 

Arrangements entrusted to Nickel Lochstampfor Family Funeral Home, Inc.

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