Kenneth R. Pfister, insurance agent
Kenneth Robert Pfister, 88, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2011, in Fort Myers, Fla. Ken was born in West Hoboken, N.J., July 24 1923, the eldest child of Elizabeth and A. Kenneth Pfister. He grew up in Camden N.J. and attended high school at Archmere and then Camden Public. As a member of the Army Air Corps, he served in World War II as a B17 pilot. During the war, in addition to combat missions, Ken volunteered to fly humanitarian food shipments to the Netherlands, through a narrow flight corridor authorized by the German Air Force. After the surrender he assisted in airlifting survivors from the Mauthausen-Gusen Concentration Camp near Linz, Austria.
Returning home, he attended LaSalle College on the GI Bill, majoring in business. He moved to Dover where he founded the Pfister Insurance Agency. In 1949, Ken married Rita Kathryn Green and they raised five children. He was active in the community, serving on the Delaware State Library Commission, the Holy Cross Parish Council, and the Rotary, including a term as its president. He enjoyed sailing, tennis and reading. In his youth he sailed a Lightning at the Indian River Yacht Club. He and Rita raced a Lightning as members of the Rehoboth Bay Sailing Association and they won the Dixie District Lightning Championship in 1965. He served the RBSA as its Lightning fleet captain and as commodore. After the death of Rita, Ken retired to Marco Island, Fla. in 1990. There he was active in SCORE. He met and married Grace Pope.
Ken is survived by his children, Kevin, Judy and her husband Fern Bouthot, Karen and her husband Peter Vander Meyden, Donna, and Brian and his wife Lisa Alexander; his grandchildren, Nicole Bouthot and her spouse Joanna, Rachael Bouthot, Courtney Bouthot, Kirsten Vander Meyden and Jesse Alexander. He was predeceased by his wife, Grace; and sister, Doris Pryzawara.
A memorial service for Ken is planned for 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 24, at San Marco Catholic Church, 851 San Marco Road Marco Island. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions in Ken's name to the organization of your choosing.
