Passed away on March 31, 2026, at 90 years old. Preceded in death by his loving wife, Carol Pfitzinger; grandson, Levi Eckhardt; parents, Arthur and Clara; and sister, Sally. Survived by his children, Rick (Cordia Strom) Pfitzinger, Brian (Mary Jo) Pfitzinger, David (Mimi) Pfitzinger, Julie Eckhardt; four grandchildren, Susan (Henry) Vosters, Brandon (Suzy) Pfitzinger, Jill (Ian) Wetterau, Nathan Eckhardt; two great-grandchildren, Eleanor Vosters, Parker Vosters; and beloved dog Cookie.
Art would probably want to keep this simple. He might say, “My life was fun, and I never worked a day in it.”
And the remarkable thing is… he meant it.
Art Pfitzinger lived his life like a man who found the wind early and chose to keep sailing forward confidently, creatively, and always on his own terms. From his early days as a deckhand on the Milwaukee Clipper to his years of service in the Army Reserve, Art began charting a course that would carry him far beyond where he started.
And in many ways, the water was always part of that journey.
Art had a deep love for the water, not just as a place, but as a way of life. He swam in it with friends and family, boated and sailed whenever he could, and even spent time living on a houseboat. Many of the homes he chose throughout his life were along the water, each one another chapter in a life drawn to the shoreline. The water wasn’t just where he lived; it was where he felt most at home.
That same sense of movement and possibility carried into his work. Art built not just one, but three successful companies. He had an instinct for opportunity, a willingness to take risks, and a gift for finding the right people to help bring his vision to life. And true to his nature, he didn’t just succeed, he enjoyed it. To Art, it never felt like work.
But what made Art’s life truly meaningful wasn’t just the ventures he built, it was the life he created around them.
At the center of that life was Carol. Sixty-three years of marriage is more than a milestone, it’s a legacy of partnership, loyalty, and enduring love. Together, they built a family and a life filled with opportunity, generosity, and deep pride.
Art was incredibly proud of his children, their accomplishments, their drive, and the lives they built. He made sure they had every opportunity to succeed, supporting them through their education and beyond. That pride only grew as the family expanded. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought him immense joy, and nothing meant more to him than seeing the whole family together.
He especially loved those moments when everyone could gather, preferably outside, surrounded by nature, near the water, if possible, where laughter carried easily and time seemed to slow down. Those were the moments that mattered most to him, the ones that anchored everything else.
Art had a genuine love for animals, both big and small. Whether it was tropical fish, birds, or dogs, he found joy in caring for them and simply having them nearby. And in his later days, his dog Cookie became a special source of comfort and companionship faithfully by his side, bringing quiet moments of peace when they were needed most.
Art also believed in showing up for his community, his friendships, and the organizations that mattered to him. His involvement in the Masonic lodges, where he served as Master in multiple lodges and achieved the distinction of becoming a 32nd degree Mason, reflected a deep commitment to fellowship and tradition. In his later years, he became a member of Rock River Lodge No. 108, where he truly enjoyed spending time with those brothers. Alongside this, his leadership roles in groups like the Lion’s Club and the Zor Shrine’s Camel Patrol showed a man who valued connection and contribution. Whether it was organizing events, bringing people together, or simply being present, Art helped create a sense of community wherever he went.
And of course, he did it all in his own unforgettable way, whether running farms filled with camels, Scottish Highland cows, horses, llamas, and peacocks, bringing in well-known guests to community events, or collecting stories and experiences that most people could only imagine. Art didn’t just live life, he expanded it.
Later in life, after facing serious health challenges and walking through the long and difficult loss of Carol, Art’s perspective began to deepen. Like a seasoned captain finally looking back over the miles behind him, he began to see something he hadn’t always noticed along the way.
He said it simply: “God did it, I didn’t.”
His faith wasn’t something that defined his early years, but it became real to him over time, especially through hardship. Through heart attacks, surgeries, and loss, he came to recognize that even in the storms, he had not been navigating alone.
And perhaps that’s one of the most meaningful parts of his story.
Because Art’s life reminds us that even when we’re moving fast, building, striving, achieving, there is a deeper current beneath it all. A steady hand. A quiet guidance. Something that carries us, even when we don’t stop to see it.
Today, we picture Art at peace, his long and remarkable voyage complete. The sails lowered, the waters calm, and the harbor finally in sight.
And if he leaves us with anything, it might be this:
Enjoy the journey. Take care of your people. Trust the course.
And don’t forget to have a little fun along the way.
And perhaps now, after all the miles he traveled, he’s found his way back to the one harbor that meant the most, reunited with Carol, where the waters are still, and the journey is finally at rest.
Visitation will be held from 9:30am until Funeral Service at 11am on Monday, April 6th, 2026, at Schmidt & Bartelt- Oconomowoc. We’d like to give a special thank you to the nurses, CNAs, volunteers, and music therapist, Rory Bolton at ProHealth AngelsGrace.
