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Patrick Pfeifer Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Patrick Pfeifer
Rick Estinson
December 24, 2019
Coach Pfeifer was truly a wonderful man. When I played my last game as a senior we sat in the gym and he told us no matter where we go in life he will always be with us. I didn't understand the value of that at the time but as I got older I realized that it was his way of saying he loved and cared for all of us and that didn't stop as we left high school and headed out into the world. He was a sources of strength on and off the field. Rick Estinson.
Jason Colquhoun
January 17, 2010
Dear Sally, Mike and the Pfeifer family:
My deepest sympathies for you. Coach Pfeifer made a huge impact on my life during my formative years at Ferris High School. He had a tremendous passion for coaching and for life. I remember him fondly. I almost did not play football. I remember several things that have stuck with me all these years. He believed in the team concept and helped to pull us all together and have us firing on all cylinders like a well oiled machine. I remember running to practice and running from practice. It was not optional to walk on to the field. You ran from drill to drill. I remember always having to have your helmet on no matter what, it was part of discipline plan, but here are the things I remember most. He had us memorize the definition of discipline and defense and perhaps it will give you a little philosophical insight, "Discipline is finding yourself doing everything right all of the time." "Defense is nothing more than intense pride and super aggressive play." I have used those two philosophies in my coaching career. I coached football for three years and wrestling for 15 years. I remember his half time speeches, he was very dramatic...and the guys I played with gave our best for him. He really knew how to inspire us. Sometimes he was eloquent other times his passion spoke. Several times my junior and senior year he came in to talk to us on the field in a goal line stand during a time out. His hair was messed up and it looked like he had been pulling it out. He would say something like, "Hey, I want you to know I am not sure what to say, you can stop these guys, its going to take everybody. I know you can do it though." We never let him down when he came in to say something that communicated that message to us. He believed in us. There was an intensity and a fire in his eyes that caught our attention even when the game was on the line. We were going to do everything in our power to protect the end zone. My junior year, I remember Todd Wilson was my team leader and he made me do pushups on command. I did them gladly by the way, because Todd was an awesome guy and a great team leader of the "ugly dogs". That's the kind of things we would do for fun. Anyhow, my junior year when we beat LC, Todd told me to do pushups on the hill where we met for the post game celebration wrap-up at Albi. I remember how happy Coach was and he had seen me do the pushups and he said something like, "Colquhoun, I do not know what you are doing. But if pushups help us win games then I hope you have more pushups to come in the future." The two greatest gifts we could have given Coach I think during my years was the victory over LC my Junior year when Mike was the QB and threw an arrow to Robinson in the endzone, I believe for the 8-7 victory. I remember LC got the ball back deep in the 4th quarter after the score and a bank of lights went out in Albi and we stopped them. It was theatrical. My senior year the win over Gonzaga in the state quarterfinals was a sweet gift and I remember the fans rushed the field. Luckily there was no looting or goal posts torn down. I remember Birdtail making 5 field goals in the previous game against Richland in the bomber bowl and playing against a 6'4" 220 Quarterback who led block on the option. He and the fullback were a ton a bricks. Coach called a fake punt where Backlund runs the ball to my side. "Blue", "Blue" was the signal and I remember our side of the line blasting our guys off the line of scrimmage and Backlund picking up the first down. I think we won 22-20. We were a team who won by narrow margins. Shadle our first game was 14-7 and our homecoming game against Mead was 10-7. We lost to Gonzaga during the regular season 0-48. I remember so many guys, so many plays, the practices, the smell of wet, decomposing grass by the watering troughs, doubles, the run test before the season started, but most of all I remember the joy of football. Coach Pfeifer made it all happen. The class of 1989 had our 20 year reunion this summer and I had lots of memories swirling through my head. Sweet memories of football games were at the top of my fondest memories. I have become a Science teacher and remain inspired by him daily. Coach Pfeifer was a remarkable man with a remarkable gift and I am very thankful that he shared that gift with all of us!
Jason Colquhoun
MLB '89 Please note Mike, that I was the "Mike" linebacker
Mike Hunton
January 13, 2010
Dear Pfeifer Family:
If not for Coach Pfeifer, I would have never become a teacher and a coach. His never quit attitude help LC become City League co-champions in 1974 and 1975. He turned my life around. He will be missed by everyone who had the pleasure to know him.
He is hall of Fame in my book and my life.
Mike Hunton
Elko High School
Elko, NV
Agnes Armao
January 11, 2010
Dear Sally:
Mona just told me about your great loss. I am so sorry. Please know I am thinking of you and hope we can get together in 2010 to celebrate some of your wonderful memories of Pat.
Love, Agnes
James Hamp
January 10, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Robb Wargo
January 9, 2010
Dear Pfeifer family,
I'm so sorry for your loss. He was a great man. Even when I saw him in the hospital in the beginning of his battle he was still the tough coach that I will always remember. He impacted so many lives thoughout his coaching and teaching career and I am proud to say that I was one of those people. Rest in peace Coach.
Rick Snell
January 8, 2010
Pfiefer Family,
I too was saddened when I learned he has passed. He was a great motivater as well as coach and friend. He taught us how not only how to be a great athelete, but a great person as well. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Rick Snell, class of 92
January 8, 2010
pfeifer family
my condolence to your family,coach was a great friend and coach. he gave us great memories in your hs football yrs. he will be missed. thanks coach for the memories and rip. douglas birdtail
Rick Estinson
January 7, 2010
Pfiefer Family
I was deeply saddend by the lose of your Dad. He was a great role model and teacher. He was like a second Father at that time in my life. At the end of our last season he pulled us seniors aside with him and told us of the importance of our experiences and how they will affect our future. He told us that no matter where we go in life that he will be there. There was so much truth in that. I will dearly miss this man. Coach lead us to victory in the 1988 playoff games against Richland and G-prep. We were the Kings of the world after beating G-Prep that day. Thanx Coach
Rick Estinson
Rick Estinson
January 7, 2010
Pfiefer Family
I was deeply sadden by the lose of your Dad. He was a great role model and teacher. He was like a second Father at that time in my life. At the end of our last season he pulled us seniors aside with him and told us of the importance of our experiences and how they will affect our future. He told us that no matter where we go in life that he will be there. There was so much truth in that. I will dearly miss this man. Coach lead us to victory in the 1988 playoff games against Richland and G-prep. We were the Kings of the world after beating G-Prep that day. Thanx Coach
Rick Estinson
Patrick Coupens
December 28, 2009
Pfeifer family,
I will miss coach. We shared some truly amazing moments that rock my core to this day. Coach Pefifer was a true fighter and a builder of many athletes. He enabled many of us, our deepest respects.
Patrick and Bethany(Hopkins)Coupens
Steve and Tami Rebstock
December 28, 2009
Mike, Sally and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family right now at this very difficult time. Steve and I both have such fond memories of Pat and your family. Pat's lessons have continued with both of us as we have both coached and are currently coaching in the GSL and also the lessons that we have taught in our children's athletic as well as academic lives. Pat was a great father,husband, mentor, coach and friend. We will remember him always. Rest in peace.
December 27, 2009
Sally and family,
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Pat taught me lessons on the football field as well as lessons in life. He taught me never to give up. The memories will live on with Coach. I will never forget beating Gonzaga Prep in 1989. We all had big grins on our faces. Sorry for the loss. May Coach rest in peace.
Scott Genoway
Mark Vandine
December 27, 2009
Dear Pfeifer Family,
My most heartfelt condolences go to each and everyone of you. It was such an honor and learning experience when he coached track for me at L.C., and then to head coach side by side with him for a couple more years. He was a great man, mentor, friend and coach. We are all fortunate to have known him. He will be missed.
Tyler Cochran
December 27, 2009
Coach Pfeifer was a huge part of my life st Central Valley. He will be forever missed and loved! He inspired me as well as countless numbers of others to be not only better athletes but better people! I am thankful that I had the great pleasure of knowing him. Your family will be in my prayers.
Corinna Destefano
December 26, 2009
Pfeifer Family -
My heart goes out to your family in this time of need. I so understand what is going on as I have been there. Pat was a wonderful husband, father, teacher and coach and we will all remember him as well. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this hard time. Pat is looking down and smiling as he is proud of his family.
Milagros Ojermark
December 25, 2009
Dearest Sally,
You and Pat are the most courageous couple I have met! You have both faced live with optimism, courage, determination and love.I am truly honored to have met, shared, laughed and loved with both of you.
Much love
Randy Harkey
December 24, 2009
Upon hearing the news of Mr. Pfeifer's passing it was a sad day for myself as well as several of my friends, all of whom knew Mr. Pfeifer from Lewis & Clark High School. He was one of very few people who changed my life during high school. To me Mr. Pfeifer is one of the "rat pack", including Coach Jerry Conners, Coach G. M. Petery and Coach Bob Lobdell. These are the only ones in my high school career for classes and sports that made a difference in my life. I am forever indebted to Mr. Pfeifer for not letting me B.S. my way out of missing football practice. Not only was he my coach but also a true friend and he will be deeply missed. Sally, you were my 8th grade teacher at Grant Elementary. My condolences to you and your family.
City Champs Class of 1976.
Alaina Riccelli-Fitzner
December 23, 2009
Hi Sally and family-
I was sooo sad to hear of this news. I remember so many fond memories with you guys growing up down the street. :) Your family is in our thoughts and prayers and we pray that God will provide the comfort you need during this very painful time. There is no doubt that Pat was a wonderful man and his memories will live on in our hearts forever. You are a very special family who has touched our family for many years!!
Much Love, Alaina Riccelli (Fitzner), Scott, Megan, and Riley
December 23, 2009
Dear Sally and family: You two put up a tremendous fight to the end. I know Pat was the love of your life, Sally . We are thinking of you during this difficult time and know your family is there all the way to support you. Susan and Bob Peck
Ryan Murphy
December 23, 2009
Though all opponnents surely detested and even dreaded facing Pat in competition, those feelings were always left on the field because one couldn't help but admire everything about the man. From his influence on generations of young people, to his commitment to family, to the grace and courage with which he faced these last several years, Pat exemplifies the selfless proper gentelman of whom we can look to as the foundation of our own character.
Martin Henley
December 23, 2009
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Pfeifer family. I have known Pat since Mike and I were in Cub Scouts together. He was a great man and his belief that you can achieve your goals through determination, no matter the odds, is something I have carried with me through my life. You will be deeply missed Coach.
Mona Mulhair
December 22, 2009
Dearest Sally,
You are in my thoughts and prayers in these difficult times.I will always remember Pat and the great moments we all enjoyed together. Love -
Mona Mulhair
December 22, 2009
To the Pfeifer family....my thoughts and prayers are with you and I have so many good memories of coach Pfeifer. First and foremost, I'll always think of him as a Tiger!! The second thought of him (besides being a great teacher) is Mr. Football! He took the time to teach the Class of '81 Football cheerleaders about the game. Forget just the "rah rah" - he wanted us to understand what was going on. I'll never forget those days, and again, wish you peace and comfort to know that he is in a better place. Sincerely, Cheryl Henley RN - LC class of '81.
Vic Myers
December 22, 2009
My thoughts go out to Mike and the Pfeifer family. Coach Pfeifer was a great man and had a postive impact on a lot of people, something all of us who had contact with him will remember.
Rose Horch
December 22, 2009
Sally, my thoughts are with you and your family. What an outstanding person Pat must have been.
Rose Horch
John Klaus
December 22, 2009
I want to express my sadness for your loss of Pfeifer. He was a great coach and also wonderful man. I've known him since 1972. Former LC Sprinter trackstar John Klaus
Pierce Emata
December 21, 2009
Sally and Family,
Paul and I are saddened to hear of Pat's passing. You and Pat were so kind in helping our parents out when they lived next door to you in Spokane and we will always remember that. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
December 21, 2009
Sally, Mike and Family,
Coach Pfeifer was a great coach, mentor and more important person. I truly cherished the many times that I spent with Mike and the family at your home. He taught me much about the game of football and many lessons about life as my coach and dad of a good friend in Mike. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and rest assured that Pat made a huge impact on many a young person's life.
Jim Eucker
December 21, 2009
Pfeifer Family,
Pat was a wonderful person who positively affected so many peoples' lives. We will miss him greatly.
Dan Babcock
December 21, 2009
Sally and Family,
Lynn and I are so sorry to hear of Pat's passing. He was part of our children's and our lives for twenty years. We will miss him.
Bob and Lynn Larsen
Tracy Morasch
December 21, 2009
Pat had a great influence on my life as a coach, teacher, and mentor. I know that I will pass on many of the life lessons I learned from Coach to my own three boys. My prayers are with the family, including especially my teammate Mike. Thank you for sharing your Dad with us all those years.
December 21, 2009
Pfeifer Family
You have all lost a tremendous part of your family. My prayers and thoughts are with you in this time.
May God Bless all of you.
The Carson Family
Dave,Sherry & Annie
Mark Rotchford
December 21, 2009
Sally our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.We loved Pat and are sorry we can not be there on December 28th.
Mark and Genie
Henry Spann
December 21, 2009
Sally,
You were a wonderful wife to Pat who stood by him always. You and the family continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
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