Obituary of Richard August Pfluger

Richard A. Pfluger, 87, a resident of Maplewood, N.J. for the past 50 years who summered in Lavallette, N.J., died Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013, with his family at his side. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral from the Preston Funeral Home, 153 South Orange Ave., South Orange, N.J., on Monday, Jan. 14, at 9 a.m. thence to St. Joseph's Church, 767 Prospect St., Maplewood, where a Funeral Mass will be offered at 10 a.m. Interment is at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover, N.J. Visitation will be held at the Preston Funeral Home on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. For more information please visit prestonfuneralhome.net. Mr. Pfluger was born in Pottsville, Pa. He entered the service in 1943 and served in Europe with the 87th Infantry Division from 1944 until war's end. Discharged with the rank of staff sergeant, he was awarded the Bronze Star and the N.J. Meritorious Service Medal. He received the Diplome Normandie from the French Government. He graduated in 1950 from Bucknell University, magna cum laude, with a B.S. in chemical engineering. Mr. Pfluger was director of asset technology for worldwide coffee for the Maxwell House Division of General Foods. After a 34-year career, he retired in 1988. He held several patents in freeze drying technology. He was the beloved husband of Maureen E. McAllister Pfluger; devoted father of Ellen P. DelVecchio and her husband, Charlie; Richard M. Pfluger and his wife, Holly; Joyce P. Bakri and her husband, Marwan; Douglas J. Pfluger, and Matthew A. Pfluger and his wife, Amy. He was the proud Poppie of his grandchildren, Sarah, Emma, Maggie, Kimberly, Edward, Richie, Noelle, Jamie, Marielle, Augie, Jonah, Kileigh, Grace, Finn, and Max and dear brother of Joan Bondura. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Emma Pfluger; his brothers, John, Dennis, and Fred; and sisters, Mary and Alma; and beloved granddaughter, Marielle Bakri. Flowers are welcome or donations may be made to the Alzheimer´s Association, Greater N.J. Chapter, 400 Morris Ave, Suite 251, Denville, N.J. 07834, or any veterans' organization of your choice.