Background
Pfeiffer, Robert John was born on March 7, 1920 in Suva, Fiji Islands. Son of William Albert and Nina (MacDonald) Pfeiffer. came to the United States, 1921, naturalized, 1927.
Pfeiffer, Robert John was born on March 7, 1920 in Suva, Fiji Islands. Son of William Albert and Nina (MacDonald) Pfeiffer. came to the United States, 1921, naturalized, 1927.
Graduated from high school, Honolulu, 1937. Doctor of Science (honorary), Maine Maritime Academy. HHD (honorary), University Hawaii.
Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Hawaii Loa College.
With, Inter-Island Steam Navigation Limited company, Honolulu with, (re-organized to Overseas Terminal Ltd. 1950) with, (merged into Oahu Railway & Land Company 1954), 1937-1955; vice president, general manager, (merged into Oahu Railway & Land Company 1954), 1950-1954; manager ship agency department, (merged into Oahu Railway & Land Company 1954), 1954-1955; vice president, general manager, Pacific Cut Stone & Granite Company, Inc., Alhambra, California, 1955-1956; vice president, general manager, Matcinal Corporation, Alameda, California, 1956-1958; manager division, Pacific Far East Line, Inc., San Francisco, 1958-1960; with, Matson Navigation Company, San Francisco, since 1960; vice president, Matson Navigation Company, San Francisco, 1966-1970; senior vice president, Matson Navigation Company, San Francisco, 1970-1971; executive vice president, Matson Navigation Company, San Francisco, 1971-1973; president, Matson Navigation Company, San Francisco, 1973-1979, 84-85, 89-90; Chief Executive Officer, Matson Navigation Company, San Francisco, 1973-1992; Chairman of the Board, board of directors, Matson Navigation Company, San Francisco, 1978-1995; chairman emeritus, Matson Navigation Company, San Francisco, since 1995; vice president, The Matson Company, San Francisco, 1968-1970; president, The Matson Company, 1970-1982; vice president, general manager, Matson Terminals, Inc., San Francisco, 1960-1962; president, Matson Terminals, Inc., 1962-1970; Chairman of the Board, Matson Terminals, Inc., 1970-1979; Chairman of the Board, Matson Superior vena cava syndrome Company, 1973-1979; Chairman of the Board, Matson Agilysys, Inc., 1973-1978; senior vice president, Alexander & Baldwin, Inc., Honolulu, 1973-1977; executive vice president, Alexander & Baldwin, Inc., 1977-1979; Chairman of the Board, Alexander & Baldwin, Inc., 1980-1995; chairman emeritus, Alexander & Baldwin, Inc., Honolulu, 1995-1998; Chief Executive Officer, Alexander & Baldwin, Inc., 1980-1992; president, Alexander & Baldwin, Inc., 1979-1984, 89-91; Chairman of the Board, president, director, A&B-Hawaii, Inc., 1988-1989. Former member Governor's commission on executive salaries State of Hawaii, commission on judicial salaries.
Past chairman maritime transportation research board National Academy of Sciences. Former member select committee for American Merchant Marine Seamanship Trophy Award. Member commission sociotechnical systems National Research Council.
Member advisory committee Joint Maritime Congress. Pacific Aerospace Museum, also board directors. Vice-chairman Hawaii Maritime Center.
Former chairman A. Committee on Excellence (American Council on Exercise), Hawaii. Board governors Japanese Cultural Center Hawaii. Honorary co-chairman McKinley High School Foundation Lieutenant United States Naval Reserve, World War II.
Commander Reserve retired. Member Veterans of Foreign Wars (life), National Association Stevedores (past president), International Cargo Handling Coordinator Association (past president United States Committee), Propeller Club United States (past president Honolulu chapter), National Defense Transportation Association, Containerization & Intermodal Institute (honorary board advisors), 200 Club, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Pacific Club, Outrigger Club, Oahu Country Club, Maui Country Club, Pacific Union Club, Bohemian Club, World Trade Club (San Francisco), Masons, Shriners.
Married Mary Elizabeth Worts, November 29, 1945. Children— Elizabeth Pfeiffer Tumbas, Margaret Pfeiffer Hughes, George, Kathleen.