Submitted
“Poldi” Pfeifenberger
Leopold “Poldi” Pfeifenberger III, 82, passed away at his home on Dec. 31 surrounded by family and friends, as any entertainer would love to have timed properly.
Pfeifenberger was born in Salzburg, Austria on April 19, 1941, the son of Leopold Pfeifenberger II and Maria Ferner. He was raised in the city of Salzburg but loved the country as well. He would often travel to Lungau, Austria to see other family members on the farm. It was here he grew to love animals and the beautiful mountains and fresh air. Poldi also had a passion for skiing, motorcycles, soccer, tennis, mountain climbing, community service and especially music. Poldi had been past president and long-time member of the Killington/Pico Rotary Club where his son, Gerald, is now the current Rotary president. Poldi lived life by the “Service Above Self” Rotary motto and the Rotary 4-way test as well.
Poldi started as an apprentice at 14 years old for Angermaier Plumbing in Salzburg, Austria. He worked there 4 to 5 years until enlisting in the Austrian Army in 1958 where he worked up to the rank of Wachtmeister (weapons inspector).
After being in the Austrian Army for seven years he asked his commander if he could take a leave of absence as he had been offered a job. With this opportunity, Poldi came to America to entertain, play music and teach skiing at Killington. After returning to Austria yearly at the end of the winter season he realized another opportunity. He was amazed that he could just start his own plumbing and heating business over here and earn whatever he wanted or could make.
In 1968 he did a one-year apprenticeship in Bethel. He had taken plumbing classes at night and worked in plumbing during the day. He was then able to sit for the master plumbing license under the grandfather clause here in Vermont. He was able to ace his plumbing exam to get his Master license with the highest grade in the class which was great for a foreigner.
For many years after becoming a master plumber, Poldi was the owner and operator of Poldi Plumbing and Heating in Killington. He worked on many if not most of the houses and condos up here on Killington Mountain.
As the area and the sport of skiing grew, so did his business. He worked with many builders and designed the plumbing and heating systems in the new condos and houses being built in the area. He did all the plumbing and heating, and the drafting board was always hot with all the planning and designs. He and his crew then did all the installation over the years and slowly built up the reputation and came up with the
