Obituaries: Roger Charles Pfahning (Oct. 21, 1931 – July 8, 2011)

Roger Charles Pfahning passed away in the comfort of his home with his wife at his side, on the evening of July 8, 2011. He was born on October 21, 1931, to Carl and Anna Pfahning in Chicago. Roger was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Earl Pfahning. He is survived by his wife of 53 years and children Valeri Pfahning of Los Angeles, and Marc Pfahning of Portland, Ore.

Roger graduated from high school (North Park Academy) in 1949 and worked at Phoenix-London Group Insurance Company and Admiral Television Company in Chicago until he joined the Army. He served in Korea as a Morse Code Intercept Operator, part of the signal intelligence branch of the Army Security Agency (ASA) from 1952-1955.

In September 1956 he moved to Vienna, Austria, to attend the Academy (now University) of Music and Performing Arts where he majored in music composition and piano. In June 1957 he returned to Chicago to marry the love of his life, Barbara. They returned to Vienna in September 1957 so Roger could continue his studies. Because of his musical ear he mastered the Viennese dialect so well that Austrians thought he was a native and he was often called upon to prove he was an American by producing his passport.

After college Roger and Barbara remained in Vienna where he became manager of the first and only American bowling alley in Vienna. In December 1965 Roger and Barbara returned to Chicago with their first born, Valeri. In 1971 Roger and Barbara were blessed with the birth of their son Marc. From January 1966 to 1974 Roger worked as a cashier/manager of the local Checker Cab Company. In June 1974 the family moved to Los Angeles, where Roger had accepted a position as manager of a restaurant.

In April 1976 the family moved to Crescent City where Roger was a tally man for Simonson Timber Company in Smith River. The remainder of Roger’s working life was very diversified and included working at Redwood National Park, the U.S. Post Office, U.S. Bank and as Activities Director at the Del Norte Senior Center, from which he retired in 1994. Because of his love of the redwoods, he also was a self-employed woodworker (Nature’s Wood Shop) and was affectionately known to many as “Curly Redwood.”

Through the years Roger enjoyed teaching acting to Del Norte schoolchildren for the Del Norte Association for Cultural Awareness (DNACA), he also became involved with Lighthouse Repertory Theater and the Chetco Pelican Players and appeared in numerous plays. His first acting role was playing Tiny Tim in high school. At 5’4” and 128 pounds he claimed he was a natural (he grew to 6’ later). He also toured Austria performing plays in English for schoolchildren sponsored by the Amerika Haus in Vienna. His most famous role was as the first Tevye (“the lead”) in “Fiddler on the Roof” in 1986. In a more serious role, he enjoyed portraying Lenny in Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men.”

Roger was the consummate, diehard Chicago Cubs fan, hopeful every year that they would win the World Series. As a lifelong bowler Roger was elated when he bowled a 300 game in 2005.

Roger had many unique and endearing qualities, not the least of which was his steady, positive outlook, his ability to relate easily to any and all people, and his unquenchable inclination to find and convey humor in just about any situation. He was always caring, loving, compassionate, knowledgeable, intelligent, witty, entertaining and above all a wonderful storyteller loved by young and old. His sudden loss has come too soon for his family and friends, who will miss him deeply always. No services are planned at this time; however, donations in his memory to Lighthouse Repertory Theater or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.

Arrangements are under the direction of Wier’s Mortuary Chapel of Crescent City.

— Submitted by Wier’s Mortuary Chapel