Alfred Karl "Alfy" Pfister III

Alfred Karl Pfister III, better known as 'Alfy,' died on November 1, 2017. He died after a long illness and was surrounded by his family. Alfy was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on October 21, 1962, the son of longtime Charleston Internal Medicine physician, Alfred Karl Pfister, MD, and Lois Estelle Knapp, MD, a pediatrician. The family moved to Charleston, West Virginia, in 1963. Alfy was a true Bon Vivant. He loved good living, fine food, was known for his many friends, and fondness for performance and socializing. Alfy was an accomplished artist, singer-songwriter, musician, and poet. He played keyboard, fiddle and guitar.Alfy wrote novels and had a self-published children's book. His musical interests culminated with 'Al-Bonzo,' an all original music CD of lyrics and prose. A lifelong athlete, Alfy swam with GCSA, and Windermere Pool swim teams, and was a gymnast in his youth. Later, he became an avid rock-climber, runner, cyclist, and skier. Alfy attended George Washington High School and Mercersburg Academy in Pennsylvania. After a long educational career, Alfy graduated from West Virginia State College in 1991, earning a Board of Regents Degree. After graduating from college, he maintained an interest in physics, math, chemistry, and literature. He is survived by his sister, Constance Pfister Blanks of Raleigh, North Carolina; brother, Philip George Pfister, of Charleston, West Virginia; mother, Lois Estelle Knapp, MD, of Florida; niece, Anna Blanks; nephews, Wyatt Pfister and Will Blanks; and stepmother, Nancy Taylor Pfister of Charleston, West Virginia. Alfy was preceded in death by his father, Alfred 'Al' Karl Pfister, MD, in July of this year. Please join the family to share and celebrate Alfy's memory; 2 p.m. Saturday, November 11, at The Empty Glass, 410 Elizabeth Street, Charleston. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Alfred K. Pfister, M.D. Legacy Scholarship Fund, c/o WVU Foundation, WVU School of Medicine / Charleston, Attn: Renee Gorrell, 3110 MacCorkle Ave., SE, Charleston, WV 25304.