Richard Pfister
1940 - 2009

Richard Dean Pfister, 69, of Camden, passed away June 17, 2009. He was born May 12, 1940, in State College, PA, a son of Rudolf and June Braun Pfister; both of his parents were college professors with doctorates in Chemistry.

As a boy, he lived in Limestone, NY, and Bradford, PA. He also went to school in Olean, NY, where his mother worked. After high school, he started college at Oberlin only to drop out to join the Army at the age of 19 (much to his mothers chagrin).

As an Army Sergeant, he was airlifted to Germany during the Cuban Missle Crisis. In the Army, he continued taking college classes and finished his B.S. degree in the History of Science at the University of Texas.

After military service, he moved back to Bradford, PA, and got a job teaching Math at Salamanca High School, Salamanca, NY. It was there that he met his future wife, also a teacher, Judith Hollinshead. He and Judy were married on February 2, 1968, in Limestone, NY. Richard got his Masters degree in Math Education and his permanent teaching certificate in one year while teaching full time. Judy and he moved to the Albany area to pursue Doctoral studies at S.U.N.Y. Albany. Richard was a graduate student assistant to Arvid Burke, a well-known expert in Educational Finance.

After receiving an Administrators certificate, he went to work for the NYS Teachers Union. Later, he worked for the Rockefeller, Wilson and Carey administrations in their budget office. He then became Senator Donovans Director of Finance, during which time he moved to Camden and also was instrumental in developing the P.A.R.P. program (parents as reading partners) in New York State. Mr. Pfister later retired as Director of Utica's Magnet School in 2002.

Richard has been active in many community organizations. He is a 50+ year member of Masons, serving as Master of the Camden Lodge. He was a founding member of the Camden Kiwanis Club and held several offices. He was a member of the Camden Rotary, an active member of Trinity Episcopal Church and has served on the Vestry. He has been a very active member of the Cluster 13 organization of which he was the treasurer. He will be sorely missed.

Surviving besides his wife, Judy, are two daughters, Daphne Pfister, Morrisville, NC, and Elizabeth and Garner Halloran, Durham, NC; a granddaughter, Audrey Marie; a sister, Mary Bruce Benton, Mechanicsburg, PA; three brothers, Cloyd Mike Pfister, Alexandria, VA, Walter and Judith Pfister, Bradford, PA, and Josef and Cheri Pfister, Battlecreek, WA; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m., Monday, from Trinity Episcopal Church, Camden, NY, under the direction of LaRobardiere Funeral Home, Inc., Camden, NY. Interment, Hillside Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home, 109 Main St. Memorial contributions may be made to Cluster 13 or Trinity Church, Camden, NY.