Dr. John M. Pfau

John and Antreen met on a hayride when they both were attending the University of Chicago. He was pursuing American history and she was studying zoology. Married in 1942 they began their family, welcoming Madelaine and Elly into the world. He took his first teaching position after earning his doctorate in 1951 and quickly advanced to the position of dean. She earned a master’s degree and worked as a biomedical editor at Argonne National Laboratory. They moved to California in 1959. John chaired the Department of Social Sciences at Chico State College before becoming one of the founding faculty and administrators at Sonoma State College in 1961. Antree continued her career at Livermore National Laboratory in Berkeley and at City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte. The family relocated to San Bernardino when John was named president of the new California State College in January 1962. Antreen became active in the community, involved in the Valley Charity League and the Arrowhead Allied Arts Council. In their spare time they took up golf at the Arrowhead Country Club and he enjoyed gardening, cultivating tomatoes, cantaloupes, oranges and avocados. After John’s retirement in 1982, they remained in San Bernardino before moving to Napa in 1999. CSUSB faculty, staff and retirees traveled there to help celebrate their 90th birthdays (born within one day of another) in April 2008. Despite more than 50 years of California residency John never lost his affection for the Chicago Bears; sometimes holiday dinners were scheduled around game time. John and Antreen met while attending the University of Chicago; married in 1942, and soon after welcomed daughters Madelaine and Elly. Both continued their education with John earning a doctorate and Antreen earning a master’s. In 1962, John was appointed as the first President of California State College at San Bernardino. The two became active in the community, as members of the Valley Charity League and Arrowhead Allied Arts Council. Despite residing in California for more than 50 years, they stayed loyal to the Chicago Bears – rearranging family functions around game times. The two were so admired and respected, by the CSUSB community, that, in 2008, dozens of faculty, staff and retirees went to their home in Napa to celebrate their 90th birthdays. Born just a day apart, John and Antreen were destined to be together. During their 70 year marriage, the Pfaus celebrated many successes: birth of their two daughters, post baccalaureate degrees, successful careers – including the organization of CSUSB, and numerous humanitarian and civic awards. Dr. Pfau's philosophy of education was highlighted in his inaugural speech in which he said, "A college education may encompass many things, but primarily it must be an intellectual experience. If we do not provide for the student an atmosphere which arouses his intellectual curiosity and stimulates his mind, we have missed the mark." Dr. John Pfau's vision, his intelligence, and his good humor made him the ideal person to serve as the founding president of California State College, San Bernardino. He brought a "Can Do" attitude that inspired both students, faculty and countless thousands of people. There are many buildings on the campus of California State University San Bernardino that stands as testaments to the vision of Dr. John Pfau and the library named in his honor is one of his most outstanding contributions. THE FOLLOWING IS FROM THE CURRENT CSUSB PRESIDENT- TOMAS MORALES This year marks the 50th anniversary of John M. Pfau’s first year in office as the President of Cal State San Bernardino. In 1962, he embarked on a bold, new venture – establishing a state university campus to serve the burgeoning counties of San Bernardino and Riverside. From the initial class of 293 students, the educated populace served by CSUSB has swelled to more than 75,000 alumni and 18,000 current students. The hard work and dedication that Dr. Pfau and the pioneering staff poured in to forging the academic plan and launching the institution are still evident today. Faculty recruitment was conducted with great care -- thousands of contacts were made, and those who came through the intensive search were truly members of a highly select group who shared the determination of the original planning staff that Cal State San Bernardino would grow into an exemplary institution of higher learning. And indeed it has. CSUSB is recognized among the top four percent of universities in the country for the level of learning that occurs here, and it ranks among the top three CSU campuses in its retention of African-American and Latino students. When I became President of this fine institution in August it was apparent that the campus has benefitted from longevity in leadership, starting with Dr. Pfau who served 20 years. Now his legacy is being memorialized with the establishment of the John M. Pfau Endowed Professorship. His daughters, Madelaine and Elly, have generously initiated a fund that will grow to $250,000 to extend professional development opportunities to faculty. The honor will rotate among the faculty and benefit them in research, publishing and other scholarly activities that imbue the intellectual environment with new knowledge. As the first endowed professorship established at CSUSB, the John M. Pfau Endowed Professor Fund will stimulate the campus in untold ways. In the spirit of his founding leadership and the ideals that still hold true today, please consider making a contribution to the John M. Pfau Endowed Professor Fund and show your support for the institution he created as well as for our current faculty. Your tax deductible gift may be mailed in the enclosed postage-paid envelope or can be made online at https://development.csusb.edu/makeagift/ by clicking on “Other” and noting the John M. Pfau Endowed Professor in directing the gift. Checks dated no later than December 31, 2012 and received by January 11, 2013 will receive a tax receipt for the 2012 tax year. I value your thoughtful consideration of the remarkable legacy of President John Pfau and the potential inherent in this unprecedented gift from the family. Your support is deeply appreciated. Cordially, Tomas Morales President Today you have an opportunity to make a donation to keep the vision and legacy of Dr. John and Antreen Pfau alive. Your gift is 100% tax deductible and a difficult time of cutbacks, it is desperately needed. (Link goes here)

Dr. John M. Pfau

April 28, 1918 - March 18, 2012

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Dr. John M. Pfau

April 28, 1918 - March 18, 2012

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Grief & Healing

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