Fab Dad: Scott Pfeil
Scott Pfeil is the partner and business director of Backflip Creative Marketing Studio. While the marketing firm has a focus on bringing “truth, goodness and beauty into the world—one project at a time,” so does his life as a father, Pfeil aims to create adventure whenever he can.
Dad to: Maria, 17; Teresa,14; and William, 9
Hometown: Austin, MN
Favorite ways to spend family time in WI: Hunting with my kids. Hiking at Devil’s Lake State Park with the whole family – we are the one’s that go off road and all climb up the rocks. We create our own adventures wherever we live. For instance, we created “Pfeil Hill” where I cleared an area of brush, so we could all sled down this short but steep hill nearby where we lived. So great to notice other families using our lead, and enjoying that experience as well!
Your most rewarding fatherhood moment: When our first daughter was born, labor was long, and I was so happy to fulfil my dream of having kids that I broke down with tears of joy. I am a finance/investment/business guy and not overly emotional, but my dad gave me a hug and said that my emotions were “really cool.” That it meant that much to me. That was pretty special.
Biggest challenge as a dad: I love to play with my kids, especially volleyball, and many other things so a challenge for me is to go from friend mode doing those activities to when they mess up or push boundaries as kids do and I have to discipline.
A father who inspires you and why: My dad, Larry Pfeil. Why? All the things. Most striking to me is how he learned from his dad to live his life in a humble way, enjoying the people around him. Even as he rose the ranks to become an executive at Hormel, vice president of engineering, you would never know it. He remains lifelong friends with people in all stations of “worldly” success.
Best piece of advice for a new dad: Love the joy and the challenges of each stage of your children’s development and ask God to bless you with the graces needed to be the great dad you were designed to be. Spend “quality time” with each child, doing what you both like to do together.
Your biggest hope for your children: That they live meaningful, contributing lives and go to heaven. Grandchildren will be an awesome bonus!
How are you celebrating Father’s Day: My awesome kids just pre-gave me my present: a huge 120-watt lawn speaker, mainly to use when we play family volleyball (with various other families that we love such as the Quams, Petersons, Verona Pfeils, etc.). I expect that we will play volleyball and listen to Dad’s music – think Def Leppard, Green Day and maybe a little T. Swift, you know, for the kids!