David Kendall Danciger

David Kendall Danciger died Saturday, Nov. 13, at his Tybar Angus Ranch in Carbondale. He was 81.

Born Sept. 15, 1923 in Kansas City, Mo., to Abraham and Clara Bess Danciger. David was a decorated B-17 captain in the 550th Squadron, 385th bomber group. He flew 35 missions over Germany, the Ardennes, and Central Europe during World War II.

After the service, he completed his education at Harvard (Class of ’46) and joined the Danciger Oil and Refining Co. of Fort Worth, Texas. He was later owner and president of Petrochemicals Corporation and Camp O’tel Inc. of Forth Worth.

Following his passion and great love for Black Angus cattle, he founded the Cedar Hill ranches in 1950 outside of Dallas and Oklahoma. In 1980, he founded the Tybar Angus ranches in Carbondale and Rifle. A pioneer in artificial insemination and computerized selective breeding, he participated in agricultural research studies with the University of New Mexico, University of Arizona and Colorado State University.

He has been a leader in the elimination of pulmonary hypertension, or high-altitude disease, in cattle. He was named Conservationist of the Year by the Garfield County ASCS, and, in 2003, David was recognized by the American Angus Association for 52 years of “innovations and improvements that have occurred in the Angus breed.”

He was an avid supporter of the arts and education, and many students from across the country received assistance from the Danciger Educational Foundation. He served on the Board of Education in Midlothian, Texas, and was a longtime trustee at the Colorado Rocky Mountain School in Carbondale.

David was a member of the Texas Society of Mayflower Descendants, Flying Farmers of America, the American Angus Association, the Colorado Angus Association, and the Western Colorado Angus Association.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Bradley Murray, and son Phillip Danciger. He is survived by his wife, Emma Alvis Danciger, sons Joseph Danciger and Matthew Danciger, daughter Melissa Danciger, and four grandchildren.

A private family graveside service with military honor guard will take place Friday, Nov. 26, and a memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, at the Tybar Angus ranch, in Carbondale. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested for the Roaring Fork Hospice, Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs, Bookcliffs Council on Arts and Humanities in Rifle, or the Dan Danciger Jewish Community Center of Fort Worth.