Obituary of Rudy Pfister
Pfister, Rudy (Hansruedi)
Rudy (Hansruedi) Pfister, of Perth, ON, in his 78th year, following a stroke.
A loving family man: husband of 50+ years (Cathie); father to Susan (Ted), Markus (Nicole), & Laurie (Colwin); grandfather to Martha & Daphne, Ferguson & Agnes; brother to siblings Annemarie, Margrith, Friederich, Walti, Kathrin; uncle; and godfather. Predeceased by his parents (Friederich & Margrith Pfister) and brother Markus.
Self-effacing and quiet, Rudy was always moving forward whatever his circumstances in life and health. In a conversation, he would likely say he was a carpenter (versus master carpenter, the salutation he had earned), and ask about the other person. Before his retirement to Perth to be closer to his grandchildren, he was an active member of the community in Lindsay, ON, serving at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, as a Scout leader, and combining 2 passions by cycling to fundraise for A Place Called Home. Rudy is remembered for his equanimity (when canoeing on Georgian Bay in Killarney Provincial Park, his remark at geographic concerns from others was “we aren’t lost, we’re just not where we’re supposed to be”) and steely determination (his family can all envision him hanging over the bicycle rack in exhaustion after leaving it ‘all on the course’ after the Banff triathlon relay in 2010). Examples of his skilled, meticulous craftsmanship, wrought over almost 3 decades, can be found throughout the Lindsay area, with a few outpost examples at Susan and Ted’s home in Ottawa from latter years. This tradition lives on in Markus’ work.
After arriving in Canada, Rudy commuted his love of the mountains to passion for exploring the byways, hiking trails, lakes and rivers of Ontario. He built two canoes and paddled them in whitewater if that was part of the route. Thanks to brown paper packages tied up with string and interest from his siblings and mother in Switzerland, his immediate family grew up aware and proud of their Swiss roots. Coming from a family farm, Rudy was excited and proud to own a rural property and some livestock after establishing his own business. Throughout Rudy’s life, music brought him joy, from violin as a young boy, to singing in several choirs, to participating in music therapy while in long term care.
Anyone wishing to commemorate Rudy’s life is encouraged to do so through volunteering for or making a donation to the Dementia Society (https://dementiahelp.ca/), an organization that provided significant support to Rudy and Cathie over the past 10 years. The family is planning a memorial in 2025 in Lindsay. Details to follow.
Arrangements are in the care of Blair & Son Funeral Directors, Perth.
