Bruce Pfister
February 05, 1940 - January 20, 2022
Obituary
Bruce Jacob Pfister, aged 81, of Wisconsin Rapids and DeForest, Wisconsin died on January 20, 2022. Born in February 1940 to Jacob and Rachel Pfister, Bruce grew up on a dairy farm in LaFayette County, Wisconsin. His love of the natural world and animals stemmed from his upbringing and his parents' teachings and was further developed throughout a lifetime of experiences. He passed this same love on to his children and grandchildren.
Bruce graduated from UW-Madison, with a B.S. in Civil Engineering and soon after began a 43 year career with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, first with the District Office in Wisconsin Rapids, and then with the Central Office in Madison, where he advanced to the position of Chief Geotechnical Engineer for the State of Wisconsin. Bruce retired in 2007 and began a second career further pursuing his varied interests and discovering new ones.
Throughout his life he enjoyed backpacking, skiing, canoeing, fishing, wildflower identification, collecting and refurbishing antiques, baking, winemaking and making homemade jellies and jams (much to his grandchildren’s delight). Over the last two decades he spent many afternoons (too many to count) reestablishing a natural prairie and creating monarch butterfly habitat on his family's farmland. He was active, engaged, and curious. His was a life well lived.
Bruce gave of his time and talents freely. He was also an active father and grandfather. In his earlier years Bruce was active in church as a council member, usher, and Sunday School teacher and volunteered at various fund raisers in the Rapids area. He was a Boy Scout Leader (Troop 115) for his sons and their friends over a 10 year period and volunteered as his daughter's softball coach for several years. He enjoyed children and was a role model not only to his own children, but for many others as well.
Bruce is survived by his wife Daloris of nearly 59 years; his children Keith (Karen) Pfister, Craig Pfister and Laura Pfister (Mike Lewis); his five precious grandchildren; Jacob, Sophia and Gavin Pfister, and Rachel and Abigail Lewis; his two brothers Don and Jerome; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Integrity, kindness and compassion, humor, and service to others exemplifies Bruce's way of life, and is a good reminder for all of us. He will be sorely missed and fondly remembered.
A private burial will be held with immediate family at East Wiota Lutheran Cemetery, followed by a memorial and celebration of his life for all that wish to attend later this spring/early summer (details TBD). In lieu of flowers the family has requested that memorial donations be made to the Humane Society of Dane County (www.giveshelter.org); Boy Scouts of America Samoset Council (https://www.samoset.org/); or Save the Children (https://www.savethechildren.org/)
Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Winsor/DeForest Chapel
6924 Lake Road
608-846-4250