George Michael Dirnberger, age 82, passed away on Thursday, April 3, 2025. His gentle soul will be greatly missed from this world. George was born in Detroit, Michigan, on August 16, 1942 as the first of two children for his parents Clement and Clara Dirnberger. He and his sister Rita were raised in Detroit, and George graduated as valedictorian of his class at Austin Catholic High School in 1960. After graduating from high school, George entered the Augustinian Seminary in Oconomowoc Wisconsin for 18 months before returning to collegiate studies at the University of Detroit (graduating in 1965) and obtaining a Masters Degree in Mathematics from Michigan State University in 1967. While at Michigan State, George met his future wife Nancy Pontzer while helping at the Newman Club. George and Nancy were married in June 1968 at Queen of the World Church in St. Marys, Pennsylvania. George’s first job after graduation was instructing mathematics at John Carroll University. He and Nancy then moved to Cincinnati in 1970 when George began working as a biostatistician at Merrell-National Laboratories.
George and Nancy lived in the Cincinnati area for over 20 years, raising their son Stephen and daughter Ellen. Pharmaceutical company mergers brought George and Nancy to the Kansas City area in 1992, where they resided in Overland Park and later in Mission. George retired in 2002 as director of biostatistics after 32 years with Quintiles and its predecessor companies. In retirement, George devoted himself to volunteering with several service organizations, including Catholic Charities and the Serra Club (both of Kansas City Kansas). George also was instrumental in the development and growth of The Mission Project, a place where adult persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities live, work, play and participate in the life of the community, living independently with individualized support. He initiated a program to allow participants to have reliable transportation to and from work each day. George’s past hobbies included square dancing, gardening and playing bridge, and his favorite sports teams included the Chiefs, Royals and University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
George was preceded in death by his parents, Clement and Clara, and his sister Rita Lamers. He is survived by his wife Nancy, his son Stephen (Roxanne), his daughter Ellen, and two grandchildren, Geoffrey and Hope, along with numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
On Thursday, April 10th, the rosary will be prayed at 9:30 AM followed by a visitation until the Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 5500 Woodson Road, Mission KS 66202. Internment at Resurrection Cemetery immediately following. In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions can be made to The Mission Project.