Zachary Pifer

Zachary R. Pifer

Age 26, of Dundee, NY, died unexpectedly from an unknown medical emergency, on February 20, 2026.

Zachary was born on December 12, 1999, the son of Daniel Pifer and Megan (Kurtz) Howard. He attended elementary school in Hammondsport, middle school at the Alternative School for Math and Science in Corning, and high school in Hammondsport. Throughout high school, he participated in the Corning robotics program as a member of Team TARDIS.

Zachary attended the University of Southern California and received a bachelor’s degree in Bio Chemistry. He performed quality assurance testing as a chemist at Norwich Pharmaceuticals.

Zachary enjoyed hiking, tree climbing, singing in the car, wearing eccentric clothes, painting, drawing, creating board games, ventriloquism, unicycling, wine making, and many other activities. He had a carefree approach to learning and creating. He was unconcerned with his current experience level, skills, and training. He created just for the joy and intrinsic value of the act itself.

He is survived by his father, Daniel Pifer of Wayne; mother Megan (Doug) Howard of Wayne; and three siblings, Madison Pifer, Cade Tobias Howard, and Matthew Charles “Charlie” Howard. He is also survived by his paternal grandparents, Royce and Lynn Pifer of Bath; maternal grandmother, Maureen Kurtz (predeceased by grandfather Ronald) of Wayne; great- grandmother, Carmelita Tomich; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.  

The family will receive friends and relatives to celebrate his life at the Royce-Chedzoy Funeral Home, 212 East Fourth Street, Watkins Glen on Sunday (March 1st ) from 1:30pm-3:30pm; followed by a funeral service at 3:30pm. He will be buried at a future date at McDowell Cemetery in Dundee.

Zachary was deeply concerned with human suffering and injustice. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Zachary’s memorial fund at https://gofund.me/de8ff5435 to support humanitarian causes or to unbound.org in Zachary’s memory to support the poor and marginalized of the world.

Condolences may be offered to the family in his guestbook at www.RoyceChedzoy.com