Individual Details

RICHARD THOMAS PFLUGER, 83 ROCKFORD - Richard Thomas Pfluger, 83, died peacefully at home with his family on Friday, May 22, 2015. He was born May 11, 1932, in Rockford, IL; son of Eugene and Cecelia Pfluger. He married Geri Wick on June 22, 1957, in St. Peter's Cathedral in Rockford. He was a long-time resident of Rockford, and a devoted husband of 57 years. He graduated from St. Thomas High School in 1950, and from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1956. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War and started his work career at Barber Colman. He was employed for many years at Atwood Vacuum Machine Company, first as an engineer, and then in a variety of management roles. He has patents on the microwave oven and the dollar bill changer. He was general manager at Liberty Engineering in Roscoe and later at Electrol Specialties in South Beloit. He retired at the age of 62. He was a charter member of Holy Family Church and was a member of multiple boards and organizations at Holy Family, including the first School Board, Parish Counsel, Home and School Board, and volunteer Chairman of Building and Grounds Committee. He also co-chaired several religious discussion groups, was in charge of scout wreath sales for many years, and was on the St. Elizabeth's board. After retirement, he was involved with the Food Pantry, Carpenter's Place, and Habitat for Humanity. He took great pride in building the house he lived in for over 57 years, where he and his wife hosted several parties for friends including Oktoberfest, a Luau, and a Western Party. He derived much pleasure from working in his garden and doing numerous projects around the house. He is survived by his loving wife, Geri; his nine children, Cathy (Lantz) Stein of Rockford, IL, Steve (Melanie) of Libertyville, IL, Beth (Ron Nelson) of Whitefish Bay, WI, Mike (Judy) of Portland, OR, Mary (Mike) Swyers of Ballwin, MO, Lauri (Seth) Paris of Seaside, CA, Greg (Connie McElrone) of Madison, WI, Jeff (Felicia) of Brookfield, IL, Jennifer (Nick Kaplinsky) of Swarthmore, PA; his 24 grandchildren, David, Christopher, Eric (Lynessa), and Karen Stein, Sarah, Jonathan, and Adam Pfluger, Heidi, Alicia and Trevor Nelson, Richard, Jim, Anna, and Rebecca Pfluger, Andy, Jake and Kate Swyers, Theo Paris, Elena and Max Pfluger, Justin and Alyssa Pfluger, Eden and Simon Kaplinsky; and one great-grandchild, Eleanor Stein. He is also survived by his brother, Bob (Elaine) of Rockford, IL, and sister, Sister Virginia of San Jose, CA. He is predeceased by his parents and by his sister, Florence (Gene) Haugh. Special thanks to caregiver, Tuya and to Hospice for their care and support. Mass of Christian burial at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 27, 2015, at Holy Family Church, 4401 Highcrest Rd., in Rockford, IL. Visitation from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 3910 North Rockton Avenue, Rockford, IL 61103. A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. A second visitation at Holy Family prior to the Mass will be from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Private interment at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Memorials can be sent to Rockford Habitat for Humanity, 5183 Harlem Road, Loves Park, IL 61111 or Carpenter's Place, 1149 Railroad Ave., Rockford, IL 61104. Online memories can be shared at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.
Published in Rockford Register Star from May  24 to May  26,  2015

Birth	11 May 1932	Rockford, Winnebago, Illinois, United States
Death	22 May 2015	Rockford, Winnebago, Illinois, United States

Father	Eugene Pfluger (1906 - 1985)
Mother	Cecelia Volmer (1903 - 1999)
Sibling	Living
Sibling	Living
Sibling	Living