Rol Pfeifer's Obituary
The world lost a kind and gentle soul with the passing of Rol Pfeifer on February 6, 2025. Rol, age 74, died while enjoying one of the many things that gave him such joy in his life: snorkeling in the waters of Maui, Hawaii, where he had lived part-time for the last 12 years. When Rol was not on Maui, he was most often at his home in the hills outside of Morgan Hill, California, where he took pride in creating and meticulously maintaining a peaceful sanctuary where he and his wife Joan spent most of the last thirty years together.
But Rol’s home was really wherever he was with the people he loved, and who loved him, including his cherished immediate family, as well as his second family that was an integral part of his life through his marriage to Joan fifty-one years ago, and the many people whose lives he touched through the gifts he shared with his communities. Rol’s life of service brought the joy of his talents, and his ever-present smile, to people everywhere he went. He was an engaging speaker and writer, but an even better listener, as he immersed himself into the lives of all those he encountered. He was an accomplished musician who loved every minute he spent ministering with his two musical families in his churches, Holy Family in San Jose, California and St Theresa in Kihei, Maui.
Rol is survived by his wife and childhood sweetheart, Joan (Hegemann) Pfeifer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Tony (who died too young at the age of 62) and Eleanor (Noonan) Pfeifer (who died shortly after her 90th birthday), as well as his in-law parents, Ed (who died too young at age 57) and Bonnie Hegemann (who died at age 96).
Rol loved his five younger siblings: brother Ivan and his wife Debi (Chandler); sister Janine and her husband Dean Gronenthal; brother Lyle and his wife Sue (Backes); sister Joni and her husband Mike Nienaber; and sister Marie and her husband Joel Kertzer. His loss is mourned as well by Joan’s siblings who all loved, and were loved by, Rol as their brother: Jim Hegemann (who preceded him in death in 2014) and his wife Rita (Reinhart); Ken Hegemann and his wife Rebecca (Inzunza); Pat Hegemann (who preceded him in death in 2022) and his wife Amy (Albracht); Karen (Hegemann) Thomas; and Judy (Hegemann) and her husband Mike Noecker. Rol was also loved by his 21 nieces and nephews, and his 27 grand nieces and grand nephews in both families.
Rol’s passion for music linked him tightly to so many treasured friends for life. His co-leadership with Joan of the Alleluia Folk Group at Holy Family in San Jose continuously since 1973 meant the world to him. He found an equally fulfilling joy in his ministry with the Lifeteen Band at St. Theresa’s in Kihei. He treasured as well his many years of ministry with Joan in the Mele No Ka Oli choir at St. Theresa in Kihei, which, like his other ministries, gifted him with cherished friendships for life.
He felt joyfully blessed to spend fifty years of traveling adventures with his soulmate Joan. Their time alone together discovering the world and its cultures was well documented by his impressive photographic skills that have left a lifetime of memories they shared.
Rol was also fully dedicated to their extensive joint efforts to work for the charities that fed his need to give back, including Hale Kau Kau and Feed My Sheep (two non-profits who feed the homebound and homeless), Habitat for Humanity, and more.
Rol’s long career spent primarily as an attorney for the City of Santa Clara, California, brought into his life many colleagues who became friends for life. His work primarily centered on his role as counsel for Silicon Valley Power, the city’s own public utility.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Habitat for Humanity, one of Rol’s favorite charities.
Rol’s loss from this earth is surely heaven’s gain. His earthly song ended too soon for those who loved him, but his melody will forever live on in the hearts of those whose lives were so enriched by the fact that he walked among them on this earth, until we all meet again.
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