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Karl Pfister Obituary

Karl Pfister III 1919-2011 LANDGROVE, VT Karl Pfister III died quietly at his Landgrove home on Sunday, January 9, 2011, at the age of 92. He was born to Karl H.T. Pfister II and Edna Elise Halbach in Brooklyn, N.Y. on Jan. 4, 1919. Karl's early education took place in Summit, N.J., and in his youth he enjoyed archery and sailing. He received his undergraduate and PhD degrees from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After graduating in 1942, he began working as a research chemist at Merck Sharp and Dohme research labs in Rahway, N.J., where he later co-developed Aldomet, the first marketed medicine to treat hypertension. He remained at Merck for 30 years and in 1971, he and his wife, Peg, moved to their farm in Landgrove, Vt. to begin a very different life as a Vermont farmer. Karl embraced life and the community in Landgrove and spent many hours supporting local projects. In particular, he was devoted to the Mountain Valley Medical Clinic (MVMC) and the Landgrove and Weston Historical societies. Along with a colleague, Karl published a genealogical history of Weston's early settlers and could happily recount tales of the town's earliest inhabitants. Over the years, he held numerous positions for the Town of Landgrove and enjoyed tending to his farm, apple orchard, and gardens. He contributed generously to a wide variety of organizations, especially those focused on education, land conservation, and medical research. He loved to read and spend time with his family. He was always curious, a lifelong learner, and approached life with a positive and scientific attitude as well as a big smile. It was an honor and privilege to have known Karl and he will be in our memories forever. Margaret K. Wetjen (Peg) of Cranford N.J., his wife of 52 years, died in 1998. Karl is survived by his children: Margaret Pennypacker, Karl Pfister, and Karen Pfister of Peru, Vt. He is also survived by his grandchildren: John Pennypacker of York, Maine, Charles Pennypacker of Alexandria, Va., Christine Pennypacker of Northampton, Mass., Joanna Pfister of Weston, Vt., and Kerry Howard of Peru, Vt. His grandson, Karl Andrew Pfister, predeceased him on September 1, 2010. He is also survived by his first great-grandchild, Margot Pennypacker of Alexandria, Va., as well as his first cousin Lois MacArthur of Landgrove, Vt. In lieu of flowers please make contributions to Mountain Valley Medical Center or Visiting Nurse Assoc. and Hospice of VT and NH, c/o Brewster Funeral Service PO Box 885 Manchester, VT 05255.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Bennington Banner on Jan. 15, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Karl Pfister

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January 29, 2011

I was saddened to hear from Barbara and Jim Lago by phone that Karl had passed away. I came to know him at Merck & Co., Inc. in Rahway and after during visits my husband and I would take to Vermont, mostly in the fall and winter seasons. He dug up potatoes for us on one visit; always had wonderful apples and we were fortunate to get to spend time with him and Peg. We went to an art exhibit at Stratton once where Peg had quite a few entries. All in all, he was a wonderful person to know and admire. They were always ready for company and conversation! My condolences to all their family and friends.

Edna Lord, Hillsdale, NJ

January 18, 2011

Karl was such a gentleman with a wonderful smile and it was a pleasure to serve him at The Landgrove Inn over the past 10 years.

Elise Durr

January 17, 2011

Karl was a generous supporter of Merck Forest & Farmland Center over the years and his voice will be greatly missed by all in the environmental stewardship community who knew him. Peace.

Tom Ward, Interim Executive Director
Merck Forest & Farmland Center

January 17, 2011

When I think of Dr. Karl, I remember his smile and kindness. My condolences.
Garry Sharon

Evemarie Gilfillan

January 16, 2011

To the family of Karl Pfister:
Although I did not know Dr. Pfister when I worked at Merck, my husband Jim did. I got to know Karl when Jim and I retired and spent more time in Londonderry. He would always greet us with a big smile and then ask,"what's going on in Rahway?" It was so kind of him to attend Jim's memorial service in Manchester in 2007. I will always be grateful to him. My sincere condolences to you all.
Evemarie Gilfillan

January 15, 2011

Please accept my sincere condolences at this sad time. I knew Karl while working for Arny Demain at Merck. He was admired by all. Barbara Perry (Hampton, NJ)

January 15, 2011

To the family of Karl Pfister,
My condolences go out to you. Karl Pfister became my boss when I was a young man of 37 years of age at Merck (I am now 83), He was a dear friend and a great leader. Although he was a chemist and I a microbiolgist, we understood each other very well. I continued my career at MIT and I never knew that Karl was educated there. I always will remember him as a great leader, I am still teaching after 32 years at MIT. Now, I am at Drew University.

Arnold (Arny) Demain of Madison, New Jersey
[email protected]

Victor Rolando

January 15, 2011

My condolences. Karl loaned a photo of old charcoal kilns at Old Job in Mt Tabor that he let me use in my book (pg 186) in 1992. I think I remember him showing up at one of my Vt Archaeology Month tours of abandoned North Winhall many years ago, where he introduced himself and I finally got to meet this generous person. God bless.

Jerry Coleman

January 15, 2011

My condolences go out to the entire Pfister family & their friends.
It certainly has been a difficult time for all of you.
One memory that comes to me was Karl was always full of life & fun--many times he would tell me-- well I've just got to go "shushing" at Stratton today.
R.I.P. Karl

Jerry Coleman
(Leo's Motor's)

Jean Julius

January 15, 2011

To the family of Karl Pfister
My deepest sympathy on the death of a true gentleman.
I grieve with you

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Funeral services provided by:

Brewster & Shea Funeral & Cremation Service - Manchester

34 Park Place P.O. Box 885, Manchester, VT 05255

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