Daniel J. Pfeifer, baptized into the hope of Christ's resurrection, passed away peacefully on February 1, 2023. He was 91 years old.
Born in Victoria, Kansas, on May 14, 1931, Dan was the third of eight children. He graduated from St. Joseph's Military Academy in Hays, Kansas, in 1949. There, he was in the science club, boxed and was on the basketball team as well as the starting center on the 1948 Kansas High School State Champion Football Team. He lettered in marksmanship and was a member of the rifle team, which won the grand championship at the Midwest Camp Perry Rifle Match and placed second in the Fifth Army Intercollegiate matches, winning multiple medals in the sitting position. During the summers, he worked harvesting wheat on his family's farm. He lettered in football his freshman and sophomore years at Fort Hays State University before being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952. He served as a radar technician on active duty in the United States during the Korean Conflict and was discharged with the rank of corporal in 1954.
In August 1954, he married Lorene Rohr, and they moved to Wichita, Kansas, where Dan worked at Boeing Aircraft and completed his degree in business administration at Wichita State University. In 1956, he began his professional career as a special agent with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for 26 years, working in St. Louis, Cape Girardeau, Mo., and concluding his ATF career at Bureau Headquarters in Washington, D.C. He received numerous awards and commendations for his contributions in solving high-profile crimes involving explosives. After retiring from the ATF, he returned to St Louis and worked for the Missouri Dental Board as an investigator for 11 years. In retirement, he worked for H&R Block preparing returns during tax season.
He was characterized by his unwavering faith and his devotion to his family and friends. He served as a role model to many, prayed the Rosary every day, and was generous with his skills and wisdom to anyone who asked.
Dan was known for his humility and optimism. A three-time cancer survivor, he also endured open heart surgery, an ileostomy (and its reversal!), spinal issues and dialysis three times per week with courage and dignity. At 89 years old, he purchased an extended warranty on his new car and requested new cookware with a lifetime guarantee for Christmas 2022.
He enjoyed fishing and organized an annual trip to Lake Taneycomo for more than 20 years for friends, brothers and finally his daughters and their husbands and a grandson; his last trip being September 2022. He loved gardening and grew wonderful tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. He remained a crack shot throughout his life and went deer hunting with his grandson. He could fix anything and excelled at home projects. From wallpapering to finishing basements, putting up fences, repairing jewelry and building loft beds in college dorm rooms – he could do it. He was a great fan of college football and any team fielded by Notre Dame. Skillful in the kitchen, he was known for Dan's famous meatballs, Dan's famous salsa, perfect popcorn, fluffy pancakes and mixing a pitcher of Scarlet O'Hara's for Christmas Eve. He always rooted for Miss Kansas in the Miss America Pageant.
A girl dad long before the term was invented, he is survived by three very dear daughters, Lou Ann Wilcox (Tom), Susan Carothers (Grant) and Jean Vandegriff (Dale); four precious grandchildren, Michael (Tina) Carothers, Daniel III (Beth), Grace and Sophie Vandegriff as well as four step-grandchildren Will Wilcox, Bridget Lolli (Josie), Michael (Breana Timlin) Wilcox and Colleen Wilcox; and great-grandchildren Leo, Liam, Sofia, Carter, Sawyer and Otis.
He is missed by his brothers Wilbert, Joe (Mary Ellen) and James (Sheila); his sisters Rose Ann James and Sue Haas, his brother-in-law Julius Rohr (Mary Jane) and many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by Lorene (Rohr), his beloved wife of 66 years, brothers Clete and Michael Pfeifer, parents Dan and Albina Pfeifer and family members including Frank Haas.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 9, at Ss. Joachim and Ann Catholic Church, 4112 McClay Rd., St. Charles, MO. Visitation will be held in the church vestibule starting at 9 a.m. with the Rosary recited at 9:15. A reception will follow immediately in the parish center. Interment will be at Ste. Philippine Cemetery, 4057 Towers Rd., St. Charles, Mo. after the reception. If desired, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ss. Joachim & Ann Care Service, 4116 McClay Rd, St. Charles, MO 63304; Our Lady's Inn, ourladysinn.org; or the charity of your choice. Friends may sign the family's online guestbook at Baue.com.
Baue Funeral Homes is currently following CDC recommendations regarding mask and social distancing policies.