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.
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Published in Bennington Banner on Jan. 15, 2011
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