Musings from the former publisher: Schools always a work in progress - Part II

Sonoma Valley High School has grown and modernized many times since its relocation to its present Broadway campus in 1923.

This year, as the local school district considers updating plans of the campus, older buildings remain in use. Some are named in honor of educators who gave much of themselves so that our children would have decent schools.

Pfeiffer Gym, the center of campus physical education and sports activities, was named in 1971 in honor of D.A. (Dave) Pfeiffer who began teaching at SVHS in 1925. A native of Belle Plaine, Minn., he came to SVHS after graduating from Oregon State.

In addition to his teaching, he also coached the school’s basketball, baseball and tennis teams, and for a brief time, its one-man swimming team.

He then served as vice principal for many years and became principal of SVHS when his predecessor, John Glaese, became the first superintendent of the newly formed Sonoma Valley Unified School District in 1959.

I entered SVHS as a freshman in 1956 and got to know Dave Pfeiffer both as the vice principal and principal. He handed me my diploma when I graduated in 1960.

My memories of him are of a steady, soft-spoken, quiet man. He seemed interested and engaged with his students and was always accessible as a wise counselor and advisor.

He was a reserved, private man, and I cannot say I really got to know him, but I most certainly respected him and knew he cared not only about me, but all of his students and the school itself.

Dave retired from education in 1962 and turned his energies and talent to community service. He served for many years as a trustee of the Sonoma Valley Hospital District Board, including terms as its president. He helped found the Sonoma Valley Hospital Auxiliary and was active in the Sonoma Valley Historical Society. He passed away in August of 1981.

The gym named after him in 1971 was actually opened in December of 1956, while I was a freshman and Dave Pfeiffer was still vice principal. Built at a cost of $150,000, which seemed like a lot of money then, it was the biggest addition to the high school in decades. It was huge. Its new wooden floors shined and the bleachers were expansive and close to the action. It was also where we had our gym classes.

There was a huge crowd for its dedication and everyone in town was proud of it.

For many years following, graduation was held there.

Today, Pfeiffer Gym is still the venue for all of the Dragon’s home basketball and volleyball games. It is the school’s main assembly hall and indoor gym class facility.

It has proved every bit as beneficial and durable as its namesake, Dave Pfeiffer.

(In Part III, I’ll talk about John Glaese, for whom the SVHS theater is named.)