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Richard Pfeifer Obituary
A funeral Mass for Dick, a devout Catholic and parishioner of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, will be at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the church, 3900 Wisconsin St. A viewing before the service begins at 4:30 p.m.
Dick was born Nov. 15, 1919, to Joseph and Josephine Pfeifer in Oakes, N.D. During his sophomore year of high school, Dick joined the Civilian Conservation Corps. After completing his CCC service, Dick explored numerous job opportunities until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942. He was always proud of his time in the military, where he served in the Battle of the Bulge, France, Germany and Belgium. After his honorable discharge in 1945, he joined his family in Salem, Ore., where he studied to become an electrician.
In 1948, Dick bought a new shiny red car, and headed north to Alaska with his younger brother, Huey, via the Alaska Highway. Alaska's beautiful scenery and emerging economy provided Dick with many opportunities for fun, adventure, and employment. Dick fell in love with the outgoing and laid-back nature of the state and made Alaska his home.
A lifelong electrician and a member of IBEW 1547, Dick contributed many long hours to the growing Anchorage bowl. Given a roll of black electrical tape, time, and determination, he could fix anything.
In the early 1950s Dick homesteaded at Twin Papoose Lake in the Mat-Su Borough. Dick was an avid outdoorsman and private pilot. His homestead experience included building the "Pfeifer" airstrip, gardening, and of course, hunting and fishing.
In September 1973, Dick married the love of his life, Isabella "Bell" Gebbie. Dick and Bell split their time between their home in Anchorage and their much-loved homestead in the Valley. After 34 wonderful years together, Bell passed away in the winter of 2007. Dick always said that Bell made him a better man.
Dick is survived by his brother, Jean Pfeifer; and Jean's children, Lisa, David, Scott, and Anne; as well as numerous great nieces and nephews.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Pfeifer
2 Entries
Mark Pfeifer
April 13, 2011
To all the Pfeifers in Alaska,
I fondly remember the stories my father "Todd" Francis Pfeifer told of his time in Alaska with Dick and Huey before he went off to the Korean War. Dad passed away in Feburary of this year and I know that those cousins are now enjoying a wonderful reunion in an even better place than they made of this earth. My sympathy and prayers are for you that must find a way to fill the void that Dick left in your life. I hope his memory will someday fill that void and bring you peace.
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