Daniel Voelker

Daniel Voelker, Sr. passed away August 21, 2025 at the age of 96, holding hands with his daughter and son-in-law, after a brief stay in Wilmington Hospital. He was a native New Yorker and lover of all things NYC, avid history buff and storyteller, daily reader of the NY Times, listener of NPR and WHYY, and fan of PBS news hour.  He was a loving father to his daughter, Christina, and her husband, Matthew, devoted “Opa” to Teyton and Hobie, and patriarch to extended family in Washington, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Danny (or Dan) was born in Glendale, NY to Wilhelmina (Roche) and Paul Voelker, who left his family in Hildesheim, Germany to come to the US in the early 1900’s at age 14 and never went back. Dan grew up on Cypress Hill Street in Brooklyn with his parents and sister, Florence (Voelker) Kalfur, all of whom are deceased.

Dan was an excellent student. While attending P.S. 68, he was able to skip a full semester. He was accepted to Brooklyn Technical High School where he graduated. As a first-generation college student, Dan attended Pratt Institute at night while working in Bank of Manhattan, NY, NY during the day. Later in life, while working full time and raising a family, Dan attended night school and received his bachelor’s degree from Adelphi University.

In December of 1950, Daniel was drafted into the army and was inducted into the service on January 8, 1951.  He served with the 28^th Infantry Division (the oldest continuously serving division in the United States Army) in Germany during the Korean War for 18 months.

Daniel received an Honorable Discharge with the Army of Occupation medal. Soon after his return to the U.S., Dan spotted the love of his life, Hildegard (Staiber), a fashion illustrator, walking down Myrtle Avenue in the early fall months wearing a smart suit, gloves and hat.  He asked her out, and they were engaged a few months later on December 24, 1953. They wed on September 11, 1954.

In 1966 Dan was sent to Idaho Falls by his employer, M.W. Kellogg , for a 6-month project.  As soon as the blizzard of 1966 would allow, Dan, Hildegard and 5-year-old son, Danny, Jr, packed up the car and drove across the country. While living in Idaho they visited many sites including Sun Valley, the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone Park.

The following year they welcomed Christina to the family (their little “Idaho potato!”) They moved to Syosset, NY, where Dan and Hildegard raised their family. Dan worked for several companies, advancing in position frequently. His final employment was as a civil engineer with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, where he worked on the 72^nd floor of the North Tower in the World Trade Center until his retirement in1994.

Daniel loved taking the LIRR into the city to Penn Station and the subway down to the WTC each day.  It was an incredible place to work with good friends and downtown Manhattan as his “playground.”  Lunchtime concerts in the plaza of the twin towers were a regular occurrence by top notch artists.  As someone who loved to dress well (he was not a fan of “dress-down Fridays,”) he enjoyed window shopping and making purchases in the elegant men’s clothing stores in the lower levels of the towers and on the surrounding streets.  He hosted many trips for family and friends to the observation deck on the South Tower – with its stunning views of Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty and Verrazano Bridge, the surrounding boroughs and New Jersey –  as well as dinner at Windows on the World, an upscale restaurant on the 106^th and 107^th floors.

Daniel had many New York experiences, including making his way home to Queens and Syosset during multiple blackouts, and walking down 44 flights through smoke and soot following the World Trade Center bombing of 1993. Dan also witnessed President John F. Kennedy’s last speech at the UN on September 20, 1963, just 2 months before his assassination.  When working at a different company earlier in his career, he would arrive at Grand Central Train Station at the same time as Jackie Robinson (then President of Chock Full O’ Nuts) and they would cross the street together, Dan never saying a word.

In 2006, Daniel and Hildegard moved to Wilmington, DE to be closer to their daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren, Teyton and Hobie. They adored their grandsons and loved caring for them, taking them to museums and Longwood Gardens, and playing with them as young children. Opa (Dan) continually played an active part in their lives, attending every one of their concerts, award ceremonies, performances, and sport events.  He was so deeply proud of them; he loved them with all his heart.

Dan was a member of Concord Presbyterian Church where he attended worship with Hildegard until her passing. He then sat with his grandsons each Sunday. One of his greatest joys was hearing and experiencing the beautiful music and concerts his son-in-law, Matthew, sang, played, and directed at Concord.

In 2018, Daniel moved to Cokesbury Village where some of his friends already lived. There he found a new community of friendship and support.  He served on the White Elephant committee for several years, making friends in the process. He enjoyed the residents and employees who were so kind and friendly to him. He was grateful for the care and attention he received from his wonderful nurses and aides, especially Rose, who took care of him daily once he moved to Assisted Living in February of 2025.  Dan grew especially fond of Priscilla Ward, who brought him such joy, love, and happiness in the last weeks prior to his passing.

Danny told many, many stories of his adventures growing up, of living and working in New York, traveling to Idaho, and serving overseas.  He told stories of his lifelong friends, some of whom he had met in kindergarten; he told stories of his grandchildren and his family. He shared his stories with anyone who would listen.  Those stories are truly his legacy.

Daniel is predeceased by his lifelong love, Hildegard, son Daniel Voelker, Jr, sister Florence Kalfur, and nephew William (Bill) Kalfur. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Christina (Voelker) and Matthew Pressley, and grandsons, Teyton and Hobie Pressley.  He also leaves behind his loving family in Washington: nephew Bob Kalfur and wife, Cookie (Cecilia) and family, great-nieces Tiffany Kalfur and family, and Teresa (Kalfur) Molino and family, and in Germany: nephew Klaus Goebel and wife, Steffi,  great-nieces Lara Goebel and Tonja (Goebel) Kornig and their families, and cousin Angelika Voelker.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 20 at 10:30am, at Concord Presbyterian Church, 1800 Fairfax Blvd, Wilmington, DE 19803. To view the livestream or see the recorded service go to www.concordpc.org and click on the link for Daniel Voelker Memorial or click on this link: https://youtube.com/live/xPjTT6CO2lU?feature=share

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the not for profit Concord Concert Series, Concord Presbyterian Church, 1800 Fairfax Blvd, Wilmington, DE 19803 (checks should be made out to Concord Church, memo: Concord Concert Series) or online at www.concordpc.org. If you are interested in honoring Daniel in another way, please consider purchasing a subscription to the NY Times or your local newspaper, or become a sustaining member of your local PBS station.