Memorial
Leo Clement Peiffer, 88, prominent Cedar Rapids architect, passed away Thursday, January 5, 2017 at Hallmar Care Center.
He was born in October of 1928 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of Leo P and Genevieve Mikesh Peiffer. Leo achieved Eagle Scout. He graduated from Franklin High School and then attended Iowa State College where he received his BS and MS degrees in Architecture. He received a full college scholarship for winning the National Fisher Body Craftsman Guild’s Napoleonic Coach competition in 1946. He was active while at Iowa State as the “Stars Over Veisha” Director in 1949 and as a member of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity.
Leo served in the Army during the Korean War and then returned to Cedar Rapids to begin his career as an Architect and soon started his own firm Leo C Peiffer and Associates. His career spanned many decades and his building projects are found all over the area. He designed many residences, schools, churches and public buildings. Some of the more prominent are The Five Seasons Center and Crowne Plaza Five Seasons Hotel (now the U.S. Celluar Center/DoubleTree), The National Czech and Slovak Museum, Cedar Memorial Funeral Home, All Saints, St Pius & other Catholic churches, 111 Cottage Grove Condominiums, Allen Motor Company (currently McGrath), the Linn County Home, Linn County Public Health Bldg, Veterans Memorial Stadium and Vernon Design Center where his architectural office was located.
Leo was active in the community. He was a member of the Downtown Rotary Club, long time member and previous President of the All Iowa Fair Board, Cedar Rapids Board of Review and many other organizations.
He loved music, the circus, stock car racing, fireworks and anything Disney. His family has many wonderful memories of trips with him to visit Mickey! One of his favorite hobbies was shooting off fireworks. He was a licensed pyrotechnician and did the shows at Elmcrest Country Club, downtown Cedar Rapids and many shows for baseball games at Veterans Memorial Stadium over the years.
Leo was a perfectionist and a craftsman. He could build just about anything! He was well-known for his Mid Century Modern designs.
He is survived by his daughter Mary Ann Weems (R. Mark) of Cedar Rapids, grandchildren; Jacob (Trisha) Weems of Center Point, Daniel Weems and Austin Weems of St. Louis, Missouri and Rachel Perez (Andrew) of Cedar Rapids and 8 great-grandchildren: Asher, Jaella, Salem, Adalai, Titus, Malachi and Havilah Weems and Lillian Perez. He is also survived by his former wife, Sara Sorensen of Cedar Rapids and cousin Robert C. Mikesh of Silver Springs, MD
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, January 21 at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories with Fr. John R. Flaherty of All Saints Catholic Church officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, January 20 at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories Stateroom.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Hallmar and Hospice of Mercy for their excellent care.
Memorial donations may be made to All Saints Catholic Church, the Czech Museum or Hospice of Mercy.