in addition to hurdling, puffer was a good long jumper, winning metropolitan and canadian championship titles in that event in 1893; his mark at the metropolitan meet, 22 ft  in (6.83 m), ranked him in the world's top 10 that year. at the 1894 aau championships puffer won his third consecutive title in the low hurdles, but was beaten in the 120 yd hurdles by newcomer stephen chase, who set a new world record of 15.6. in the following years puffer became an athletic instructor and competed only at the games of the 22nd regiment, which he belonged to; in 1897, he and eugene goff were declared professionals and ineligible for amateur competition on the grounds that as instructors they received money from sports. puffer served with the army in cuba during the spanish–american war of 1898 until he was sent home due to his failing health; he never fully recovered, remaining in poor health for his final years. he died of pneumonia at his mother's home in new york city on july 22, 1900.