Harry John Pfeifer

Harry John Pfeifer April 27, 1917 - August 17, 2010 MCMINNVILLE, Ore. Harry J. Pfeifer died August 17, 2010, at Hillside Retirement Community in McMinnville, Oregon. He was born in New York City on April 27, 1917, and was the son of John Richard and Regina Hanselmann Pfeifer. After high school, Harry enrolled in Drexel University, Georgia Tech and the University of Alabama where he graduated in 1941 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. In 1943 he married Mary Burton Todd in Mobile, Alabama. Later that same year he enlisted in the Merchant Marine and served in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters as First Engineer. When WWII ended, he joined General Electric, Schenectady, N.Y. Approximately ten years later he was transferred to the Atomic Power Energy Division in San Jose, California. In 1963 he became project engineer for a nuclear power plant in Tokai Mura, Japan. In 1968-1969 he also held the same position for a nuclear power plant in Spain. He retired after 35 years with General Electric. Thereafter he and Mary moved to La Conner, Washington where they lived in the Shelter Bay community. He spent approximately 20 years sailing the "Shun Fong," and Islander sailboat that he built himself. He also kept active with SCORE and FEMA and being a grandfather and mentor to his two grandsons. In 2004 he and Mary left Washington and moved to Hillside in McMinnville, Oregon to be near friends and family where he remained for the rest of his life. Harry is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary; his daughter, Margaret (Peggy) and son-in-law, Raymond Ramsay of Salem; his son, J. Todd Pfeifer and his wife, Markay of Pittsburgh, Pa.; his grandson, David Ramsay and his wife, Gita of Miami, Fla.; his second grandson, James Ramsay of Seattle, Wash.; and great-granddaughter, Mikhaela of Miami, Fla. No services were held, and burial will be private. In lieu of flowers or other remembrances, please consider honoring his memory with a donation to the Salvation Army, Amnesty International USA or a local animal shelter, all favorites of Harry's. Arrangements are under the direction of Restlawn Funeral Home in Salem, Oregon