Bernhard "Buck" Pfefferkorn

Bernhard "Buck" Pfefferkorn, MRCS, USN 04/11/1930 ~ 12/09/2010 ESCONDIDO -- Buck was born to Sophie and Jesse Pfefferkorn in Brooklyn, N.Y. He met the love of his life, his "Million Dollar Baby" Rosemarie when they were both fifteen and worked together in an F.W. Woolworth 5 & 10 Cent Store after school. In 1947, he graduated from Queens Vocational High School where he majored in machine shop practice. In 1948 Buck enlisted in the Navy and served with honor for almost 24 years. He and Rosemarie were married in 1949 in the base chapel at Hunter's Point, San Francisco. They had two sons, Bruce and David. He left the service as a Machinery Repairman Senior Chief Petty Officer having served aboard the USS Antietam CV-36 and USS Deliver ARS-23, where he saw action off the coast of Korea. He also served on the USS Hooper Island ARC-17, USS Dixie AD-14, and USS Prairie AD-15. He also served on shore installations in San Diego, Long Beach, Hickam AFB Hawaii, Armed Service Police, Severn River Naval Command Annapolis, MD and Naval Support Activity Saigon Detachment, Cat Lo. In 1967 as a member of the Navy High Power Rifle Team, he won the Secretary of the Navy Award as the high Navy scorer at the National Matches held at Camp Perry, OH. After leaving the service in 1971, he worked as a machinist in the civilian sector retiring at age 62. He then volunteered at the San Diego Police Department, Northeastern Division working at the Car Prowl Desk for 11 years. Buck was also a continuing member of the Fleet Reserve Association since October 1957. He is survived by Rosemarie; his sons, Bruce and David; and his grandson Kevin; their families and his sister, Pauline. As one of his last requests, he asked that bright colors be worn at his memorial service as black is too somber. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to: VITAS Hospice Charitable Foundation, 9655 Granite Ridge Dr., STE. 300, San Diego, Calif. 92123. Memorial service to be announced. Sign the Guest Book online obits.nctimes.com