Bruce Alan Pfeiffer

Bruce Alan Pfeiffer, 67, of Topeka, Kansas, died April 28, 2021 from complications from chronic lymphatic leukemia.  He was born June 23, 1953 in Topeka, Kansas, the son of Walter H. and Helen (Schiefelbein) Pfeiffer. Bruce graduated from Hayden High School in 1971, and went on to attend Washburn University. 

In 1982, he met the love of his life, Kimberly Dale and they were married June 4, 1983.  They enjoyed almost 38 wonderful years together.  They raised two children together, Ryan and Kristin.  He was extremely proud of his children.  

He is survived by his wife Kim.  Son Ryan and his wife Lisa Cloar, Lawrence, and their 2 daughters, Theia and Ophelia. Daughter, Kristin Pfeiffer, Topeka.  Brothers and sisters, Diane Linder, Kansas City, Rick (Karen) Pfeiffer, Loveland, CO, Patrick Pfeiffer and Lori Ogan of Topeka, mother-in-law, Barbara Dale, sister-in-law, Pam Schneider and Gerry of Roeland Park, KS, and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Walter and Helen, father-in-law Larry Dale, brothers-in-law Bobby Linder and Duane Ogan and niece, Jamie Linder.  

In 1975, Bruce began his apprenticeship in the plumbing trade.  After serving his apprenticeship he worked as a journeyman for the next 6 years.  He became a Master Plumber in 1985 at which time he took a position with the Menninger Foundation, a nationally known psychiatric school/hospital, supervising the maintenance and installation of plumbing systems for the organizations two large campuses.  In 1989, he went to work for the City of Topeka as a plumbing inspector, rising to senior plumbing inspection in 1997, retiring after 28 years of service.  Bruce was a proud member of UA Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 441 and AFSCME Local 1294.  He felt that it was important to give back to the trade, so he became an instructor for Local 441, teaching plumbing code to apprentices and CEU classes to journeymen and master plumbers for over 20 years. 

Bruce joined the trade association, IAPMO (International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials) in 1989.  He had been active on the local level, having served multiple terms as vice chairman and chairman of the Kansas-Missouri Chapter.  He also served on numerous committees at the national level, including the ad-hoc Medical Gas Committee, Standards Research Committee, Products Certification Committee, UPC Answers & Analysis Committee and UPC Workshop Committee.  He served as the chairman for the Answers & Analysis and Workshop Committees.  In 2005, Pfeiffer was elected to the IAPMO Board of Directors, serving for 14 years on the Board, including two years as the President of the Association.

Bruce was a (35+) year member of the Boy Scouts of America and served as a unit Scout Leader for many of those years.  He participated as Cub Scout Den Leader, Webelos Leader, Assistant Scoutmaster and Scoutmaster.  During the years he took pride that in some small way he helped countless young men along the trail to Eagle, many achieving the highest rank in Scouting. Among those young men was his son and nephew.  He began scouting with his son Ryan, when he was 6 years old culminating with Ryan receiving his Eagle Rank in 1996.  He also had the privilege of scouting with this nephew Alex Ogan from Tiger Cubs to receiving his Eagle Scout rank in 2013.  Bruce also served for many years on the Jayhawk Area Council, Board of Directors.  He held the positions of District Commissioner, Council Commissioner, Vice-President of Program and Vice-President of Properties.  He received numerous adult Scouter awards including, District Award of Merit, George Meany Labor Award, Bronze Pelican Religious Award, Order of the Arrow Vigil Honor, Silver Beaver Award and he was a James E. West Fellow.  He also served for many years as a Campmaster at Falley Scout Reservation and worked on the maintenance team for the Camp.

Bruce and Kim enjoyed traveling the world.  Through his participation with IAPMO and serving as the association’s president they were afforded the opportunity to travel to Australia, New Zealand, Europe, South America, Russia, Asia and Africa.  They also traveled extensively in the United States and Canada.  He often made the statement “who would have ever guessed that the day I picked up a pipe wrench, I would be traveling the world!  I’m truly blessed!”  He was a diehard Kansas Jayhawks, Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs fan!  Bruce received many honors throughout his lifetime, but his greatest honor was being a Grandpa to Theia and Phee.  They were the light of his world.

Cremation has taken place. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 from 4-8:00 P.M. with a rosary at 5:30 P.M. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The family encourages anyone that attends the visitation to please wear their favorite KC Chiefs, KC Royals or KU Jayhawk apparel.  A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 5, at 10:30 A.M. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 312 NE Freeman Ave., Topeka, KS 66616. Bruce will be laid to rest at Mt. Calvary Cemetery-Holy Trinity Mausoleum at a later date. 

Memorial contributions may be made to BSA Jayhawk Area Council, Sacred Heart-St. Joseph Catholic Parish or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Contributions can be mailed or left with the funeral home.

To share a memory or to leave condolences, please visit Bruce’s memorial webpage at www.brennanmathenafh.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6^th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603.