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Samuel Clark Pyfer

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Samuel Clark Pyfer

Birth	:	17 Jan 1919 Townsend, Broadwater County, Montana, USA
Death	:	14 Jan 2005 Helena, Lewis and Clark County, Montana, USA
Burial	:	Fair Haven Memorial Gardens, Moncton, Westmorland County, Canada
Coordinate	:	46.0579200, -64.8671400
Description	:	Obituary from Helena's Independent Record 01/17/2005: Clark Pyfer passed away surrounded by his loving wife and family at the VA Hospital at Fort Harrison on Jan. 14, 2005, following complications after a broken hip. Clark was born Jan. 17, 1919, in Townsend to Art and Lola (Dimock) Pyfer. He was raised in the Whitehall and Three Forks area and graduated in 1936 from the Three Forks High School. After working for two years in the Trident Cement Plant, Clark attended Chillicothe Business College, where he met friend/best man Paul Kleffner. After graduating in 1939, at age 19, he worked for a short... Read More	Obituary from Helena's Independent Record 01/17/2005: Clark Pyfer passed away surrounded by his loving wife and family at the VA Hospital at Fort Harrison on Jan. 14, 2005, following complications after a broken hip. Clark was born Jan. 17, 1919, in Townsend to Art and Lola (Dimock) Pyfer. He was raised in the Whitehall and Three Forks area and graduated in 1936 from the Three Forks High School. After working for two years in the Trident Cement Plant, Clark attended Chillicothe Business College, where he met friend/best man Paul Kleffner. After graduating in 1939, at age 19, he worked for a short time in Houston, Texas, as secretary to the executive vice president of a chain of lumber companies and later returned to the Trident Cement Co., as secretary to the general manager. He was hired at the East Helena American Smelting & Refining Co., and worked there as a metallurgical accountant until entering the service in 1942 at Fort Douglas, Utah. Clark served as a staff sergeant and acting first sergeant for 42 months in the medical detachment of the Air Force in Florida and California. He was honorably discharged at Hammer Field, Calif., on Feb. 19, 1946. Clark met the love of his life, Mary Elizabeth Sasek, in East Helena. They married on May 11, 1946, and were blessed with four sons, Don, who passed away in 1973, Bob (Jeanne) and Rick, both attorneys in Helena, and Bill, a technician with Qwest in Scottsdale, Ariz. Four grandchildren also survive Clark: Rick's children, Sara and Chris Pyfer, and Bob's two daughters, Nicole (Jay) Lindgren and Lora (Joe) LoDuca. Clark also had the pleasure of being a great-grandfather to Nicole's son, Jaret Carson Lindgren, born 2/6/03, and Lora's daughter, Angelina Nicole LoDuca, born 12/12/04. Clark joined the CPA firm of Galusha, Higgins & Galusha upon discharge from the military and qualified as a certified public accountant in Montana and Idaho. From 1965 to 1977, he served as president and general manager of the firm. The firm encompassed seven employees when he joined in 1946, growing to 125 with six offices in two states by 1977, making it approximately the 35th largest CPA firm in the United States. After retirement, Clark not only continued his work as a financial consultant, but poured time into countless other interests. During his career, Clark served as president of the Montana CPA Society and was honored in 1962 as The Outstanding Montana CPA — only the second person to be so honored. He served as secretary and chairman of the Montana Board of Accountancy. He also served as the treasurer of the Republican Party of Montana for over three decades. Clark's public service included holding every office in the Montana Kiwanis Club and serving two terms on the International Board of Trustees. Clark and Mary attended the first two International Kiwanis conventions outside the Western Hemisphere in Vienna, Austria (1983), and Nice, France (1993); both times they also visited Mary's family's native Slovenia. Clark also served as chairman of the Montana Chamber of Commerce and was particularly proud that Business Week for High School Students and the Montana Chamber Foundation were two programs initiated during his term. As vice chairman and later chairman of the Chamber Building Committee, he was instrumental in the acquisition and sale of the Old Great Northern Depot to the Federal Reserve Bank, facilitating the construction of the beautiful Federal Reserve Building which anchors the north end of the Gulch. Always interested in what was best for Helena, Clark was a charter member of the Helena Improvement Society (HIS), vice president of the Helena Chamber of Commerce, and a charter stockholder in the Helena First organization which built the Park Plaza Hotel. In addition, his firm was the major force in building the Arcade Building in 1975 under the Model City Program. Clark also acted as a prime mover in the Canyon Ferry Lake Owners Association. In recent years he was active in the Hometown Helena Pride leadership group. Clark was an individual committed to countless organizations geared towards the betterment of Montana and Helena, including the Montana Ambassadors, Helena Ambassadors, Carroll College Board of Trustees, United Way ( past-president), Community Concert Symphony, Grandstreet, the Montana Boy Scouts, Salvation Army (lifetime member), Reeder's Alley, Green Meadow Country Club and many others. He was a founding member of the Montana Community Foundation and an active participant in the Governor's Task Force on Planned Giving, which proposed the legislation for the charitable income tax credit. During his tenure as president, Clark proudly oversaw the million-dollar restoration and refinancing of the historic Montana Club, of which he was a 50-year member. He also served as statewide finance chair to fund and build the Red Cross Blood Facility in Great Falls under the late Ted Cogswell. Spiritual growth and development was extremely important to Clark. A Mason and Shriner for over 60 years, Clark was also a devout member and supporter of Sts. Cyril & Methodious Catholic Parish of East Helena. His other religious activities included charter membership with the Governor's Prayer Breakfast Steering Committee and participation in the Steering Committee each year since its inception, attending weekly fellowship breakfasts every Wednesday morning. Clark was dedicated to East Helena and helped form the East Helena Kiwanis Club which provided years of service to the town. He also actively worked to save A.S.A.R.C.O. Clark's business ventures included the development and annexation to Helena of the Sleeping Giant Addition (anchored by Sleeping Giant Lanes) with his lifelong friend, Paul Kleffner. He served on many boards including Home Federal Savings Bank, successor to Home Savings and Loan. He was a board member of Mountain States Telephone Co.; Norwest Bank (1963-1986); Columbia Paint Co., and American Chemet Corporation. Due to Clark's many community involvements he was selected in an Independent Record poll of local business and community leaders as one of the most influential people in Helena. When asked who they would go to if they wanted to have something accomplished Clark's name topped the list with the then Mayor Russ Ritter. After his retirement, Clark mentored numerous business people and organizations, always eager to share a joke or a story from his huge repertoire and always happy to help a good cause. Clark Pyfer was service and dedication personified. He embodied these qualities daily throughout his fruitful life, selflessly serving his family, his community, his city, and his state. His efforts and positive influence continue to spread throughout Montana, and his legacy of love and generosity will continue to touch us for decades. Dad, Hubby, Grandpa, we will deeply miss you. Your love of family was your trademark. Your love of your neighbor was your calling card. "God Bless" was always your greeting. All who knew and loved you will truly miss you. "God Bless" and "God Speed, Oh Loyal and Faithful Servant." Visitation hours will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the family receiving friends between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 18, at the Retz Funeral Home Chapel. Vigil services will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2005, to honor Clark's memory at East Helena Sts. Cyril & Methodious Catholic Church. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2005, at the church. A luncheon will immediately follow at Jorgenson's Restaurant banquet room. Interment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorials are recommended to Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church P.O. Box 1110 East Helena, Montana 59635 in Clark's memory or to a local charity of choice. Clark Pyfer remembered for leadership, civic engagement By LAURA TODE - IR Staff Writer - 01/20/05 There is no way of knowing the number of people the late Clark Pyfer touched in his 84 years. Pyfer, who could easily be considered one of Helena's founding fathers of commerce and development, was remembered Wednesday at his funeral Mass held at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in East Helena. For most of his career, Pyfer, a certified public accountant, worked for Galusha, Higgins and Galusha and served as president and general manager of the firm from 1965 to 1977. In his tenure as president he expanded the business into two states with six offices. "He was probably one of the most unselfish and professional persons I've ever worked with," said George Olsen, a Galusha, Higgins and Galusha partner who worked with Pyfer for 33 years. Pyfer retired and stepped down as president of the firm in 1977, but maintained a presence at Galusha, Higgins and Galusha until 1986. He maintained his CPA licensure until his death, faithfully attending the required 40 hours of continuing education each year. While Olsen praised his work at the firm, he said the mark Pyfer left on the community was in his commitment to local service organizations, charity causes and nonprofits. "He was tireless in his pursuit of community goals," Olsen said. Pyfer served as the vice president of the Helena Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the Montana Chamber of Commerce. He helped to start the Helena Improvement Society and Helena First as well as the Montana Community Foundation. Pyfer helped to secure properties for the building of the Federal Reserve Bank and the Arcade Building, and through Helena First assisted in the construction of the Park Plaza Hotel. As a businessman, Pyfer developed the Sleeping Giant Addition on Helena's east side and successfully saw it through the city annexation process. "His whole philosophy, civically and professionally, was that you don't worry about who gets the credit," his son, Rick Pyfer, said. More recently, he was an active proponent for the private ownership of Canyon Ferry cabin sites, but fellow Canyon Ferry resident Don Johnson remembers him best for his war on weeds, educating the Canyon Ferry community on the spread of noxious weeds and leading by example. "If you saw Clark, chances are his car was pulled over to the side of the road and he was picking a bouquet of Russian knapweed — there, leading by example," Johnson said. Community minded, Pyfer took an active part in many local organizations, including the United Way, the American Red Cross, Grandstreet Theatre, Boy Scouts, the symphony and Kiwanis Club — even founding the East Helena Kiwanis Club. He was a Mason and Shriner for 60 years. Working as a consultant after retirement and mentoring up-and-coming businessmen and women, Pyfer's business card said, "actively retired." Undoubtedly, the statement was humorous but wholly true. In all that Pyfer accomplished aside, he was proudest of his family, and his wife, Mary, who was a partner in most of his civic activities. Mary Pyfer said her husband was busy every day, and took time to personally call on his friends and associates. He often wrote personal letters, she said, in perfect handwritten script. The couple were married 58 years at Pyfer's passing, and for almost all of their marriage, his wife kept a detailed, daily journal and kept a scrapbook of her husband's awards and newspaper clippings. "He enjoyed going out every day," she said. "He had an active mind and always wanted to stay involved." Reporter Laura Tode can be reached at 447-4081 or by e-mail at [email protected]

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Samuel Clark Pyfer's memorial?
Samuel Clark Pyfer's memorial is located at: Fair Haven Memorial Gardens, Moncton, Westmorland County, Canada.
When did Samuel Clark Pyfer death?
Samuel Clark Pyfer death on 14 Jan 2005 in Helena, Lewis and Clark County, Montana, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Samuel Clark Pyfer's memorial?
Latitude: 46.0579200
Longitude: -64.8671400

Family Members:

Parent

Arthur Amos Pyfer

(1890 - 1972)

Spouse

Mary Elizabeth Sasek Pyfer

(1921 - 2020)

Children

Don Pyfer

(1947 - 1973)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Fair Haven Memorial Gardens
Moncton, Westmorland County, Canada
Coordinate: 46.0579200, -64.8671400

2. Wilson Cemetery
Moncton, Westmorland County, Canada
Coordinate: 46.0585050, -64.8565850

3. Coverdale United Church Cemetery
Coverdale, Albert County, Canada
Coordinate: 46.0460230, -64.8652920

4. Alderwood Cemetery
Riverview, Albert County, Canada
Coordinate: 46.0474980, -64.8569820

5. Somers Family Cemetery
Moncton, Westmorland County, Canada
Coordinate: 46.0563100, -64.8870890

6. Greater Moncton Muslim Cemetery
Riverview, Albert County, Canada
Coordinate: 46.0461110, -64.8558050

7. Wesleyan Union Cemetery
Coverdale, Albert County, Canada
Coordinate: 46.0461660, -64.8827700

8. Milner Family Burial Plot
Moncton, Westmorland County, Canada
Coordinate: 46.0773490, -64.8112858

9. Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption
Moncton, Westmorland County, Canada
Coordinate: 46.0908580, -64.7818820

10. Free Meeting House Cemetery
Moncton, Westmorland County, Canada
Coordinate: 46.0942200, -64.7748600

11. Berry Mills Cemetery
Berry Mills, Westmorland County, Canada
Coordinate: 46.1121000, -64.9389900

12. Horsman Cemetery
Moncton, Westmorland County, Canada
Coordinate: 46.1284000, -64.9111000

13. Steeves Mountain Cemetery
Steeves Mountain, Westmorland County, Canada
Coordinate: 46.0971940, -64.9645440

14. Steeves Mountain Cemetery Old
Steeves Mountain, Westmorland County, Canada
Coordinate: 46.0894450, -64.9703750

15. Elmwood Cemetery
Moncton, Westmorland County, Canada
Coordinate: 46.1097100, -64.7760900

16. Boundary Creek Cemetery
Moncton, Westmorland County, Canada
Coordinate: 46.0567580, -64.9884570

17. Shediac Road Roman Catholic Cemetery
Moncton, Westmorland County, Canada
Coordinate: 46.1072090, -64.7598880

18. Gorge Cemetery
Moncton, Westmorland County, Canada
Coordinate: 46.1514800, -64.8696600

19. Wilmot Memorial Cemetery
Lower Coverdale, Albert County, Canada
Coordinate: 46.0537760, -64.7271020

20. Our Lady of Calvary Cemetery
Dieppe, Westmorland County, Canada
Coordinate: 46.0800900, -64.7292300

21. Birchhill Cemetery
Berry Mills, Westmorland County, Canada
Coordinate: 46.1348500, -64.9593300

22. St. Anselme Parish Cemetery
Saint-Anselme, Westmorland County, Canada
Coordinate: 46.0707720, -64.7178080

23. Colpitts Community Cemetery
Colpitts Settlement, Albert County, Canada
Coordinate: 45.9736570, -64.9633240

24. Pine Hill Cemetery
Salisbury, Westmorland County, Canada
Coordinate: 46.0375710, -65.0198370