Donavan Pantke
| Donavan Pantke | |
 | |
| Region 7 Representative Libertarian National Committee Representative | |
| 2022 (as Alternate)—2023 (until his passing) | |
| Predecessor: | Linnea Gabbard |
| Chair Tarrant County Libertarian Party | |
| September 26, 2020—September 29, 2023 | |
| Predecessor: | Otilio R Perez Jr. |
| Personal Details | |
| Birth: | December 16, 1979 Columbus, Georgia |
| Death: | September 29, 2023 (aged 43) Fayette County, Ohio |
| Education: | Pleasure Ridge Park High School |
| Occupation: | Director, Cloud Tools, Services, and Architecture |
| Residence: | Arlington, Texas |
| Party: | Libertarian Party |
| Facebook: | |
| view image gallery | |
Donavan Pantke (December 16, 1979 - September 29, 2023) was a Libertarian activist known for his dedication to the principles of liberty and his contributions to the Libertarian National Committee (LNC) and the Libertarian Party.
Early Life and Background
Pantke was born December 16, 1979 to Barbra and Alvin Pantke, in Columbus, Georgia. Eventually, he relocated to Utah and then settled in Louisville, Kentucky, where he lived most of his life, before moving to Arlington, Texas with his own family in 2019. After graduating high school, Pantke briefly worked for HSA before working for Appriss from October 2000 to October 2014, then joined Infor in November 2014 where he eventually took on the role of Director, Cloud Tools, Services, and Architecture.
Pantke met his future wife Jocelyn in 2002 and they were married on Friday May 13, 2005. Together they had three children: Alex, born in 2007, Cameron, born in 2009, and Alandra, born in 2013.
In his spare time, Pantke enjoyed automotive tinkering and restoring his 1991 Pontiac Trans Am. He also was a member of the Texas Western Model Railroad Club and was an avid music lover and a self-taught musician. Pantke was passionate about consuming knowledge and had an uncanny ability to understand and apply self-taught knowledge into the world around him. Pantke gained prominence as a libertarian activist through his passionate commitment to the ideals of personal freedom, limited government, and individual liberty.
Libertarian Activism
Pantke served as Chair of the Tarrant County Libertarian Party in Texas, where he helped to promote libertarian values at the local level. He also served as Chair of the Libertarian Party of Texas Bylaws Committee.
In May 2022, Donavan Pantke was elected as the Region 7 Alternate Representative to the Libertarian National Committee during the Libertarian National Convention. Following the resignation of Linnea Gabbard in August 2023, he assumed the role of Region 7 Representative, becoming a key figure in the leadership of the national libertarian organization. His presence and contributions were highly regarded by his colleagues, and he quickly made a positive impact on the committee.
Legacy
Pantke's passing on September 29, 2023, sent shockwaves throughout the libertarian community. His untimely death was announced by former LNC Chair Whitney Bilyeu, who described him as a trusted friend and colleague. Bilyeu praised Pantke for his wisdom and dedication to the libertarian cause, emphasizing the profound sadness felt by Pantke's wife, Jocelyn, and the entire community.
LNC members, including Steven Nekhaila and Dave Benner, expressed their grief and paid tribute to Pantke's character. They described him as a person of exceptional intellect, integrity, and kindness, whose contributions to the Libertarian Party were immeasurable.
Pantke's passing left an indelible mark on the libertarian movement, and he will be remembered as a fearless advocate for liberty and a compassionate individual. His legacy continues to inspire others to champion the principles he held dear.