Frederick Pfister lived and taught at Cranbrook for 22 years.

Pfister spent nearly his entire life in education, receiving his master's degree from Bowling Green University and his doctorate from Miami University of Ohio. Besides teaching history, Pfister lived in the Cranbrook dorms as a house advisor, and coached football and baseball. He also served as a faculty advisor to Amnesty International.

Pfister's career and life were cut short due to complications from a heart attack he suffered in the early 1990s. Through his time in the classroom and the dorms, Pfister built close relationships with students and faculty members across Cranbrook.