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by Gerry Le
Public Relations
Retired U.S. Navy
Supply Corps Capt. Robert H. Peiffer,
administrative manager in the MUSC
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral
Sciences, followed the traditional
military way of life. He grew up in a
military household — his father served in
the Army for most of his childhood — and
knew there was never a question that he'd
follow in his father's footsteps.
Initially, Peiffer
joined the Navy in 1965 because, he said,
it offered the best college program. His
intention was to go to college on a Navy
scholarship, graduate and serve his
four-year commitment before becoming a
foreign service officer with the State
Department. At the time, he would have
preferred to go to Harvard or Yale, but
the Navy chose Miami University in Ohio.
"It was one of the best things that could
have happened to me," said Peiffer. "My
experience at Miami University was
absolutely superb."
 Bob Peiffer,
right, who joined MUSC in 1998, with
Nancy White and Anthony Scott. To watch
the video, visit http://bit.ly/MUSC_BobPeiffer.
At the end of his
four-year service, rather than go into the
foreign service, he opted to stay in the
Navy. Peiffer retired in 1991, after 26
years in the service. "I realized it
wasn't a bad career choice," he said.
During his time in the
Navy, Peiffer traveled to the ends of the
earth. He worked in various submarines on
the West Coast. He also spent four years
in Hawaii and two years in the Philippines
before arriving in Charleston.
While in the service,
Peiffer said that one of his proudest
moments was getting through the rigorous
training to be qualified in submarine
work. That is where he earned his
submarine warfare insignia, known as
dolphins. Subsequently, he transferred to
the Navy Supply Corps where he was
involved in handling finances and
purchasing and advanced to the rank of
captain. In his final Navy assignment, he
was named commanding officer of the Naval
Supply Center in Charleston.
What he misses most
about military life is all of the
sightseeing, he said.
"I worked with
wonderful people in the Navy," said
Peiffer. "But I also work with wonderful
people here at MUSC. I ended up exactly
where I was supposed to." Peiffer lives in
Charleston with his wife of 20 years. For
this Veterans Day, Peiffer hopes that
citizens will give military officials the
gratitude they deserve. "Veterans Day is
an opportunity to tell our veterans we
appreciate what they're doing. My
son-in-law just got back from a tour in
Afghanistan. I know I wouldn't trade
places with them, so I appreciate what
they're doing."
Friday, Nov.
9, 2012
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