Larry Pfister
April 26, 2024 - June 29, 2008
Age 49 of Wexford died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on June 29, 2008. Beloved husband of Linda Paine Pfister and dear son of the late Norman and Helen Pfister. Engaging brother of Connie (Jack) Miller and Nancy (Dan) Emerick. Devoted uncle of Eryn (Mark) Paat, Ryan (Portia) Miller, Evan Miller and Shannon Emerick. Special son-in-law of Stanley and Ruth Paine and brother-in-law Matthew Paine, all of Massachusetts.
Larry graduated in 1976 from North Hills High School and went on to attend Carnegie-Mellon University where he earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in Chemical Engineering. He later earned a Masters degree from CMU’s Graduate School of Industrial Administration.
Larry joined US Steel Research in June 1982 as part of a Technology Implementation Program designed to enhance the company’s competitiveness. He immediately made an impact in the area of electroplating technology, his most outstanding contribution being developing and patenting a process to simultaneously deposit iron and zinc on sheet steel. This fulfilled the need of Chrysler for a product that could be successfully painted in their plants.
These developments lead to the construction of the DESCO plant in Michigan in 1988 to supply Chrysler and others with a product that remains the standard bearer since inception. Following this development, Larry became Technical Manager of Tin Mill Products where he capably guided the enhanced use of tin and tin-free steel for the container and packaging industries. His keen business judgment, infectious sense of humor, and ability to get to the heart of the matter were significant factors in his success.
Five years ago, Larry decided to return to research where his outstanding problem-solving ability led to significant productivity improvements in electroplating operations. His mentoring of the young members of his Coated Products group lead to noteworthy achievements by these employees.
Larry also served as an advisor for a senior design project at Michigan Tech this past year. His personal attributes and mentoring skills lead to the success of the project, and two of the five members of the design team accepted positions with US Steel.
During his career Larry was awarded three United States and numerous foreign patents protecting both the electroplating process and the unique features related to the production equipment.
His never-ending humor and quick wit will be missed by his family, friends and co-workers.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on July 8, 2008 at Christ Episcopal Church, 5910 Babcock Blvd, North Hills, 15237.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions being made to Christ Episcopal Church or the American Cancer Society for cancer research (www.cancer.org).
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Dear, sweet Larry who was like another son. It was a joy to have him in our lives. He was so kind and respectful to my mother, sister and me always. He would call me to cheer me up when times were sad and made me feel much better. I will miss him so much, but know he is in a much better place. I will carry him in my heart with wonderful memories.
I knew Larry only through Linda, but knowing Linda told me everything I needed to know about what a wonderful, caring and loving person Larry was. I remember when Linda told me about meeting him; she sounded so happy and excited. Linda, please know that you have been and continue to be in my thoughts and prayers almost every hour since you called me to tell me of Larry’s illness. And I am so very sorry that I will not be able to be with you at the memorial service Tuesday but I will be thinking of you and your and Larry’s families. My love, thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very, very difficult time. Love Michelle (and Joe and Mia)
Gone from my life far too soon, Larry was a friend since 9th grade, regardless of distance or life circumstance. You could count on a lively, spirited and fun get-together or conversation, or, as we got older, the support and sympathy that life sometimes calls for -in addition to many laughs thru it all. Larry called me on June 21 to advise of his situation calling again 10 minutes later to joke about his obituary – he knew Linda and his sisters were far too mature to entertain this thought, and asked me to place a simple obituary for him-one short line from one of our favorite movies-“Goodfella’s”-where DeNiro finds out on the phone Pesci has been whacked…the voice says simply, “He’s gone…and there was nothin’ we could do”. Says it all. Staring an insideous disease in the face, he was jokng then, as he always did, and is probably doing now. It makes me smile and eases the difficulty processing this impossible news. My wife passed away in March, and I am sure she was there to greet him and take him to his parents, which was likely his first order of business. I wish great strength to Linda, Larry’s sisters, their familes. We must grieve, but if you knew Larry, you know he would be mad if we did not spend an equal amount of time laughing and remebering the life, not dwelling on the death. Godspeed, my dear friend, you squeezed a lot into 49 short years.