Willard Dean Pfeiffer

Willard Dean Pfeiffer was born January 17, 1927, in Hastings, Nebraska to Elvin John and Ethel Marguerite [Halsted] Pfeiffer. He grew up on a farm outside of Trumbull, Nebraska and attended Trumbull Consolidated Schools graduating in May 1944. Dean enlisted in the US Navy in 1944 and attended Tulane University in the Navy’s V-12 program. In June of 1946, Dean was discharged from the Navy. He graduated from Tulane University with a B.S. degree and was commissioned an Ensign, U.S. Naval Reserve in 1947. In 1950, he graduated from Tulane University with a Juris Doctor degree and in November of that year he was recalled to active duty, as an attorney. Dean served in a wide variety of legal positions both afloat and ashore until his retirement as a Captain (JAGC) U.S. Navy in October 1978. He was certified and served as a Trial Counsel, Defense Counsel and Military Judge. Dean’s duty stations included Staff, Commandant 5th Naval District, Norfolk, VA; Staff Commandant 8th Naval District, New Orleans, LA; Staff, Commander Amphibious Forces Pacific, San Diego, CA; Staff Legal Officer, Naval Base, Subic Bay PI; Department Head/Instructor, Naval Justice School, Newport, RI; Staff Judge Advocate/Instructor, (Military-International Law), U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD; Assistant Chief of Staff Legal/Administration, Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Staff Judge Advocate/Director Law Center, Commandant 4th Naval District, Philadelphia, PA; and Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General, Litigation, Arlington, VA. Among his many awards, Mr. Pfeiffer received the Navy Commendation Medal and the Legion of Merit. Shortly upon his leaving the Navy in September 1978, Mr. Pfeiffer became the Executive Director for the Board for Correction of Naval Records located in Arlington, VA. In 2014, he retired from the federal government after a combined 70 years of distinguished service to the U.S. Navy. Mr. Pfeiffer was married to Ellen Rountree in 1952 and they had two children: Dawn Leigh and Lisa Anne. After their divorce in 1983, he married Brenda Nicole Benet who preceded him in death in 2016. Dean was also preceded in death by his brothers Kenneth and Robert. He is survived by his daughters, Dawn DeBolle [Victor] and Lisa Pfeiffer; a step-daughter Stephanie Chilton [Ed Garcia]; a step-son Richard Chilton; grandchildren Elizabeth “Bonnie” DeBolle, Charles DeBolle, Keith Chilton, Chelsea Garcia and Savannah Garcia, and numerous nieces and nephews. Services will be held privately. Online condolences may be made at www.murphyfuneralhomes.com.