Christel Pfeiffer

Christel Pfeiffer, age 96, passed away on November 8, 2023. Born Sept. 18, 1927, in Berlin, Germany, to Dr. Kurt Becker and Charlotte, nee Welsch. She grew up in Pirna, near Dresden, Saxony, and, when her family moved to another city, she was placed into a boarding school for 7 years to remain with her old pals. In May 1945 she fled from the Russians to the American Zone but was forced to flee once more in Oct. 1945 when the American Government returned occupied territory to the Russians. She settled down in Heidelberg and worked for the 130th Station Hospital as a secretary until her immigration to Canada in 1953. She lived first in Montreal and then moved to Vancouver, BC, where she finished her education and obtained a degree in Medical Technology working for the Vancouver General Hospital. Consequently, she decided to spend two years working her way around the world. Her first stop was Los Angeles where, however, she met her future husband and ended her world trip. August A. Pfeiffer and Christel married Nov. 2, 1963, and lived for the next 25 years in San Diego. Augie worked for Pacific Telephone and Christel continued working for a few years doing research in biochemistry and in the field of Thermography. Various clinic activities such as preservation of open space, advising citizens groups and making appearances before City Council kept her fully occupied. She also published and wrote for a monthly magazine called The Turtle Hobbyist and became deeply involved in research and caring for turtles and tortoises. The Pfeiffer’s travelled extensively throughout the USA and, after August’s retirement in 1994, to other parts of the world. In 1987, they retired to Santa Fe, NM where Christel volunteered to work for the Museums of New Mexico until moving to Fort Collins in 1998. Here, Christel joined the Board of the Home Owners Association of their community and eventually served as president for 2 years. The Pfeiffers took great pleasure in joining many activities of the Fort Collins Senior Center as well as attending opera and plays. They particularly enjoyed the company of friends and discussing how to resolve the problems of the world.

Christel Pfeiffer

September 18, 1927 - November 8, 2023