Dr. Don Edwin Malzahn

June 8, 1945 – May 11, 2019

Dr. Don Edwin Malzahn, 73, of Wichita, Kansas was the son of Gus Edwin George Malzahn (Ed) and Mary (Corneil) Malzahn. Don was born in Perry, Oklahoma on June 8, 1945 and passed away on Saturday, May 11, 2019 in Wichita, Kansas with his family by his side.

Don graduated from Perry High School in 1963 and also participated in the Boy Scouts of America. After high school, he completed his undergraduate and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from Oklahoma State University in 1967. He went on to obtain a Ph.D. in industrial engineering and management in 1973. He devoted his career to teaching students at Wichita State University for 46 years. While teaching, he met the love of his life, Phyllis George, and they were married on February 14, 1978 and celebrated 46 years of marriage together.

Don also served on the Board of Directors for The Charles Machine Works, a family company founded by his father. He was a champion for women in STEM disciplines, and an advocate for individuals with disabilities. In addition to teaching, he had a passion for painting and gardening. Don was a devout member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church and his strong faith set the values for his life. Through his life experiences he developed the mantra, “Fear Not, Be Still, Know Joy, Have Fun!”

Don adored his family and his favorite role was that of a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Malzahn of Wichita, Kansas. He has three daughters, Courtney Darrah and her husband, Will Darrah, of Wichita, Kansas; Sarah Malzahn of Englewood, Colorado; and Perry Malzahn and her husband, Jason Brammer, of Wichita, Kansas. He has five grandchildren, Ella Darrah, Rowan Darrah, Genevieve Darrah, Friedrich Darrah, and Riley Brammer, all of Wichita, Kansas.

A visitation with family will be held from 6:00-8:00 pm, Wednesday, May 15, at Broadway Mortuary. A celebration of Don’s life will take place at 3:00 pm, Thursday, May 16, at Eastminster Presbyterian Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Independent Living Resource Center, 3033 West 2nd St N., Wichita, Kansas 67203 or to the FSH Society (www.fshsociety.org).