Jul. 1—DICKINSON — For decades, Dickinson has been graced by the presence of a gentle giant known as “Big” John Pregenzer, whose legacy spans from the diamonds of San Francisco to the greens of Heart River Golf Course. Standing tall at 6-foot-5, John Pregenzer wasn’t just a former relief pitcher for the San Francisco Giants in the early 1960s; he was a beloved figure known for his kindness and humility.
At the age of 91, John peacefully entered eternal rest in Paris, Missouri, where he and his wife Victoria lived, with whom he recently celebrated a joyful 25th anniversary. His impact, however, reached far beyond his baseball career, which spanned two seasons starting in 1963 and earned him a dedicated fan club. Despite his athletic prowess, John remained remarkably unassuming, finding equal joy in pursuits like hunting, fishing, and gardening, as well as his lifelong dedication to teaching high school history and coaching.
Living a full life, Pregenzer continued to spread joy wherever he went. During spring and late summer, Big John would spend every Tuesday on the Heart River Golf Course and was loved by his fellow golf enthusiasts. He played rounds of golf with friends and his brother-in-laws, Ken Roshau and Phillip Levenseller. The three would traditionally sign up for the annual Kevin Bergman Labor Day Classic golf tournament. One of his close friends was Al King, a local doctor.
King met Big John on the course, and they quickly became friends, the kind of friends who could joke with one another but ultimately respected each other deeply. King reminisced about their time at the Heart River Golf Course and how strong Big John’s short game was, but also how his large phisc made teeing off a challenge. According to King, Pregenzer was unpretentious about his talents and past achievements. It was this modest attitude that made him an enjoyable person to be around.
“Most times on the golf course we visited about nothing in particular. Just current events and things like that,” King said. “We just enjoyed each other’s company, and we played with his brother-in-law too, who is a very nice man. I respected John for being modest about his career. He was a very genuine man … a very humble man.”
King’s sentiments were echoed by many who knew John, both locally and across the country. Despite his brief stint in the majors, John’s affable nature and towering frame made him a local celebrity in San Francisco, drawing a fan club that included luminaries like Joe DiMaggio, Governor Edmund G. Brown, and others. His baseball career, though short, left an indelible mark, highlighted by an undefeated record, one save, and memorable appearances in 19 games.
A teammate of his in San Francisco, baseball Hall of Famer Willie Mays, has recently passed away as well, adding to the nostalgic remembrance of a bygone era.
Big John’s grandson, Jack White, is following in his footsteps by pursuing a baseball career. He recently signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners and was assigned to the Modesto Nuts from the ACL Mariners. Big John spent a lot of time with Jack, teaching him how to pitch and even how to drive a stick shift. Unfortunately, Big John passed away before Jack was drafted.
A memorial service honoring John Pregenzer will be held on July 10 at 11 a.m., MST, at St. Philip’s Church in Montana, a small country church south of Wibaux. The service is expected to be a testament to the enduring impact of a man whose kindness and humility touched the lives of many in Dickinson and beyond.
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