Jack Peffer: Twenty-Five Years of Service to Oikocredit
Remembering a dedicated and caring volunteer.
A person who lived a life of compassion and service to others, John (Jack) Peffer of Pittsburgh, PA, departed this world on April 22, 2019 at the age of 90. Jack worked with his local church and many mission-oriented organizations throughout his life. He volunteered with Western Pennsylvania Support Association (WPSA) of Oikocredit for over twenty-five years from when he joined the Board of Directors in 1991 to the merger of two American Support Associations to form Oikocredit US.
Jack served as a bridge between the founding members of the WPSA, which started in 1985, and the newer Board members who started working with Oikocredit post-2000 and who are still active in the organization. Jack and his wife Margery graciously hosted the end of year potlucks at their residence in Oakmont. Over the years, Jack set up a display about Oikocredit at the national meetings of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and he would give a minute for mission description about Oikocredit’s work. Jack's obituary states that he had to make a choice between a vocation as a minister or scientist. While he chose to pursue science as a career, Jack continued to pursue the ministry in all his work with the church and other organizations, including Oikocredit. Western Pennsylvania Support Association of Oikocredit benefited from his constant, caring presence.