Service to be held Saturday, February 4, in Marin County
San Francisco - February 2, 2006 . A memorial service will be held this Saturday for James E. Pfeiffer, a noted historian, fundraiser, and bar leader who was instrumental in establishing programs to educate youth about the legal system and in preserving the history of the state courts.
An avid hiker and outdoorsman, Mr. Pfeiffer died on January 14 in a hiking accident in the Marin Headlands. He was 60.
Mr. Pfeiffer served as founding Executive Director of the Foundation of the State Bar of California for 13 years until his retirement in 2003, due to Parkinson's disease. The Foundation is a non-profit affiliated with the State Bar dedicated to building a better justice system for all California through its law-related grant, scholarship, education, and outreach programs.
Among the programs he helped create were Peer Courts for first-time youthful offenders who commit a misdemeanor, the "Kids in the Law" and "When You're Over 18" pamphlet series; a successful law student scholarship program; and the Legal Heritage Institute for high school students.
"Jim possessed all the qualities that make a successful executive director: a sense of humor, an ability to deal with a strong and opinionated group of board members, a self effacing personality and drive," noted Pauline Weaver, president of the Foundation's board of directors.
"Jim was very successful in that role until his fight with Parkinson's forced him to retire," she continued. "His legacy at the Foundation is evident today in the strength of the programs and the secure financial base on which the Foundation rests. All of us are blessed to have known him."
Mr. Pfeiffer had a long and distinguished career in fundraising for other non-profit organizations including YMCAs throughout the country and the Diocese of San Jose. In addition, he was Executive Director of the California Supreme Court Historical Society from 1997 to 2000.
Mr. Pfeiffer is survived by his wife, Bonnie Hough, an attorney with the Administrative Office of the Courts, of Sausalito; his father, Robert of St. Louis; and son Michael of Redwood City.
The memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 4, 2006, at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 101 Donahue Drive, Marin City. At 3 p.m., his family and friends will gather to share memories of his life at the Sausalito Cruising Club.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to one of the following organizations:
Jim Pfeiffer Legal Heritage Memorial Fund. Make checks to the Foundation of the State Bar of California, 180 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94105;
Marin Search and Rescue, 3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 145, San Rafael 94903, with checks made payable to MCSO-SAR;
St. Andrew Youth Program, 101 Donahue Street, Marin City, CA 94965, with checks payable to St. Andrew Presbyterian Church
Stanford University-Parkinson's Disease Research, Stanford University Medical Center, Office of Medical Development; 2700 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025, with checks payable to Stanford University and commemorative gifts to Parkinson's Disease Research;
Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, Building 201, Fort Mason, San Francisco 94123, Attn: Audrey Yee, with checks payable to Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.