Robert Pfaff Obituary

PFAFF, Robert Robert Pfaff, age 85, of Seabrook Island SC died Monday, October 23rd 2006 at a local nursing home. He was born in Detroit MI on April 14th1921 to Clarence Pfaff and Grace Totten Pfaff. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather and will be missed by her family and many friends. Mr. Pfaff graduated from the University of Detroit in 1940. He joined Pan American Airways in 1943, co-piloting the famous "Flying Boats." He enlisted in United States Marine Corps in 1943 as a World War II fighter pilot, flying the Corsair F4U. He rejoined Pan Am in 1946 and flying as Captain of Pan Am aircraft until his retirement in 1981. He circled the globe many times piloting Jumbo Jets and carrying such notables as Cardinal Francis Spellman, Charles Lindbergh, and Eleanor Roosevelt. During his time with Pan Am he and his family lived in London England, Sydney Australia, Miami, Long Island, and New Jersey. While in England he often drove his Triumph or Aston Martin in road races. After retirement from Pan Am, Bob moved to Seabrook Island with his wife and joined the Sea Island chapter of Habitat for Humanity. He built and rebuilt many houses for Habitat until 2000, often working alone for as many as 40 hours per week. His great love was to help other people, using his many talents as a carpenter, plumber, auto mechanic, painter, and electrician. Besides his family, another love was jazz music, often joining local jazz groups with his trombone. Bob could quote Shakespeare and the Bible, and could speak at least five languages. Mr. Pfaff is survived by his wife: Frances Wagner Pfaff; son: Geoffrey (Dorine) Pfaff, and David Pfaff; daughters: Katherine Pfaff, and Ann (Dr Karl) Kelsey; grandchildren: Noah Pfaff, and Jackson and Maren Kelsey; brother-in-law: Rev. Leon Wagner; sisters-in-law: Gertrude (Wagner) Alter, and Geraldine Wagner. The family requests no floral tributes. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Mr. Pfaff's honor to the Sea Island Habitat for Humanity, 3487 McGill Court, Johns Island SC 29455. CAROLINA MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME IS SERVING THE PFAFF FAMILY WITH FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.