Pfister Files: Rosemary Steinfest

Over the next few months, I will be dusting off pages from the Pfister’s history books and sharing bits of the Pfister’s prolific history. This is the second post in this series.

Rosemary Steinfest is a bona fide rock star. She was the first and still, the only woman general manager of the Pfister Hotel. Now, after raising a family and a successful career, she golfs most every day, if she’s not at Zumba class or planning a party.

After meeting the legend herself at the Pfister in December, I knew I wanted to know more. We gabbed on the phone since she’s enjoying her retirement in sunny Arizona. I sat in the cafe imaging her warm presence radiating like the neat cup of tea keeping me company.

Rosemary Steinfest

Rosemary began working as Ben Marcus’s personal secretary in 1956. She had previous experience in the movie industry with MGM pictures so Ben hired her on the spot. At the time, Ben only had 25 theaters; he didn’t own any hotels.

Throughout her 40-year tenure with the Marcus Corporation, Rosemary held the titles of director of sales, director and sales and catering, VP of the Marc Plaza hotel, and more. Of course, her most memorable position was general manager of the Pfister Hotel from 1986-1996.

She still remembers the day they promoted her. “We all attended dinner in the English Room, my children were there, and then they told me about the new position. I was so proud.” I asked what some of her favorite memories were as GM. “What can I pick out of 40 years, that is a very long story!” she retorted.

“One year, when I was in charge of coordinating the employee United Way campaign, I was really into dancing so I taught all the department heads how to do the electric slide. I did a lot of things with the employees, as opposed to as their boss.”

She admitted that it was not easy being the only woman in the executive world, but Rosemary didn’t let it get to her. “I kept my stance, and Ben and Steve always stood behind me,” she said.

Rosemary enjoyed traveling and organizing meetings for groups like the Historic Hotels of America and Preferred Hotels, as everything was of the highest caliber. “I booked all the baseball teams and the Packers. They spent one night somewhere else and wanted none of that, so I took care of them. I even brought in Regis Philbin for the Centennial,” she reminisces proudly.

The Pfister Time Capsule

Organizing the Centennial celebration in 1993 was by far her biggest undertaking. She created and closed the time capsule in the lobby. Have you ever noticed it? I couldn’t believe that I hadn’t, so I ran out to find it after we got off the phone. The beautiful emerald marble statue stands about four feet tall, right at the bottom of the staircase as you enter the lobby. It’s set to be opened in 2093 at the Pfister’s 200th anniversary.

“It was a wonderful career. Having worked there for so many years, I met all the presidents, dignitaries, and I also have so many fond memories of all the people I worked with.”

A Milwaukee native, Rosemary moved to Phoenix when she retired in 1996. She says she has a wonderful group of friends down there and they do everything together, including travel. Though she’s moved on to sunnier skies, Rosemary will always be an important part of Milwaukee and the Pfister’s history.