Carl Pfefferle '76

Well, to start with, if you know our next nominee, you may or may not know him by the same name as others here this afternoon.  Holder of the record for number of nicknames among all my friends, at least, Mr. Pfefferle may be known to you as Carl…or as Joe…or as Tex…or as Pfeff…or Country Boy (even though he’s from Mr. Airy…), and I may not even have them all.  He’s “Tex” to me, first and foremost, but feel free to translate into whatever language works best for you as we go along.

My fellow alumnus of both McDevitt and La Salle University, Carl Pfefferle has devoted his life to public service for the people of the Delaware Valley.  His career began in earnest when he joined the Wyndmoor Volunteer Fire Company as a firefighter in 1981.  While there, he attended Emergency Medical Technician classes at Montgomery County Community College.  Shortly thereafter, he also joined the Springfield (Montco) Volunteer Ambulance.  After eight years, he enrolled in Hahnemann University and received his paramedic certification.  In 1990, he joined the Philadelphia Fire Department, in which he worked as a medic for 24 years before being promoted to Fire Paramedic Lieutenant in 2014.  He is currently assigned in the northeast section of Philadelphia as a paramedic supervisor (and we may just learn of his promotion to captain in the near future).  Tex's work has led to five (5) unit citations, wiyh one for response to the 2013 Salvation Army building collapse at 22nd & Market, in which six people died…and, thankfully, 14 more people were rescued.  He and his partner earned a Distinguished Service award for saving a mother who was nine months pregnant and a cancer survivor when she went into placenta previa four days before her due date...and, thankfully, for saving her baby, as well.

Tex also has served the Roxborough community as a volunteer baseball and street hockey coach.  He is currently active in his parish, Immaculate Heart of Mary, playing for Masses as a member of the guitar group.

And, following up on his McDevitt days as a member of our Color Guard, Carl's avocation is playing banjo with the string bands of Philadelphia.  He joined the Uptown String Band in 1986 and, in 1990, the Aqua String Band, in which he still is active, for a total of 37 years to date of "strutting up Broad Street."   Aqua plays annually for the Mummers Against Cancer fundraiser and on every St. Patrick's Day for children battling cancer at Baystate Hospital in Springfield, Massachusetts.  A fellow member of Aqua’s “Bald Brothers of Banjo” commended Carl for leadership and mentorship, while also noting that he always has his medical equipment on hand…and has used it to help others at more than one Aqua event.

Carl's life of service and leadership – enhanced exponentially by his sincere, selfless, and always in action sense of humor – is a genuine testament to the values of our Alma Mater.

As Tex’s former drill instructor and his friend, I am proud to have nominated him.  Please join our Alumni Hall of Fame as we welcome the Class of 1976’s Carl Pfefferle.