Franz Pfister

Dr. Franz J. Pfister, husband, dad, our hero, passed away on Dec. 22, 2015. He will be terribly missed.

Coming to the United States from West Germany in 1953, Franz enrolled in the University of Toledo on a workers exchange program. He received his bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from Bowling Green State University in 1958, his master’s degree from the University of Illinois in 1961 and his Ph.D from the University of Washington in 1964.

Franz taught foreign language, primarily German, at Bellevue Community College. He retired from teaching in the early 1990s. The family moved to Oak Harbor in 1993. He was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church in Oak Harbor.

Franz is survived by his wife Linda, two beloved children, Michelle Ferguson of Tacoma, Wash., and Mischa Pfister of Los Angeles, Calif., and his two granddaughters Katy Ferguson of Tacoma and Annie Ferguson of Olympia, Wash. Also surviving is brother Guenter Pfister of Hyattsville, Md., and sister Ermentrude of their home town in Germany.

Franz gave special meaning to the word loyalty and how he expressed it to his family. His love was unconditional. We will all miss him so much and strive to carry on his legacy of hard work, determination and never giving up. “Chin up…even if your neck is dirty.”

We’ll see you again, Franz. We love you.

Per Franz’s wishes, no formal funeral services will be held. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home. To share memories or leave condolences, please visit the funeral home website at www.wall infuneralhome.com