Corporal Kirchner has passed away.
Michael Penzel, better known to wrestling fans as Corporal Kirchner, passed away at age 64 on Wednesday.
Penzel’s obituary is below:
He was a professional wrestler for over 20 years with World Wrestling Federation (WWF), New Japan (where he was known as Super Leatherface) and Frontier Marshal Arts and Wrestling (FMW).
Michael is survived by his wife of 25 years, Tina Duke Penzel; sons, Haden James Kirchner, Kyle Michael Kirchner (Neterre) and Justin Cruz (Linzi); daughter, Krystal Tuck; parents, Thomas Bain Kirchner and Genevieve O’Callaghan Kirchner; and grandchildren, Korbyn Annette Kirchner, Ryden James Kirchner, Elora Kirchner, Talan Robert Tuck, Dalayna Nicole O’Brien, Wyatt Alexander Tuck, Hunter Bain Tuck, Grayson Cruz; sisters, Susie McFarland and Lynn Walcott; and brother, Curtis Bain Kirchner.
Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at www.LoflinFH.com.
Loflin Funeral Home of Liberty is honored to serve Michael’s family.
Before he became a wrestler, Penzel was a paratrooper in the United States Army. He later broke into the wrestling business as “RT Reynolds” before he adopted the Kirchner gimmick.
Corporal Kirchner worked for WWE from 1984 to 1987 and competed in and won a Flag Match against Nikolai Volkoff at WrestleMania 2. After his WWF run, Penzel worked in New Japan Pro-Wrestling and FMW as “Leatherface,” a character inspired by the Texas Chainsaw Massacre horror film character.
WrestleZone sends our condolences to the family and friends of Michael Penzel at this time.
CAC sends it's sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Michael Penzel, known in the wrestling world as Corporal Kirchner. Michael passed away at the age of 64. Rest in Peace Sir. pic.twitter.com/CTvr9SpdEy
— Cauliflower Alley Club (@CACReunion) December 23, 2021
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