Obituary of Ronald Pearson

Ronald W. Pearson Ronald W. Pearson, D.O., 78, of Fairview passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on Monday, February 7, 2011. He was born in Erie on June 7, 1932, the son of the late Dr. H. Dale and Mabel Pearson. Lovingly known as "Dr. Ron" to his patients, he was a graduate of Manlius Military Academy in 1950. He then attended Denison University in Granville, Ohio and graduated from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Missouri in 1958. Dr. Pearson interned in Portland, Maine and completed a residency in surgery in 1963. He then established his practice as a general surgeon in Erie through Millcreek Community Hospital. Dr. Pearson held various positions at the hospital, including Chief of Staff and Chairman of the Department of Surgery. He was awarded a Fellow in the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons (FACOS). Dr. Pearson retired in January 1996. For the first five years when LECOM was established, Dr. Pearson was part of the interview panel for prospective students. Dr. Pearson was a member of First United Methodist Church and was previously a member of Perry-Keystone #392 F & A.M. and Scottish Rite Consistory Valley of Erie. He had been very active in the Zem Zem Shrine and was a past president of the Zem Zem Motor Corp. Dr. Pearson also enjoyed photography, woodworking, and he had a passion for automobiles. An avid antique tool collector, Dr. Pearson had a national reputation for his expertise in the field. He was a member of several antique tool clubs, including Early American Industries Association, Western New York Tool Antique Tool Collectors Association, Ohio Tool Collectors Association, and Three Rivers Tool Collectors Association. Dr. Pearson was past president of the Mid-West Tool Collector's Association. He also was past Chairman of the Mid-West Antique Tool Collectors Association Scholarship Committee. Dr. Pearson was awarded the prestigious "Marion Henely Award". In 1994, Dr. Pearson published "The American Patented Brace, 1829-1924: An Illustrated Directory of Patents". He enjoyed attending antique tool auctions and was instrumental in bringing the Mid-West Tool Collectors Association to Erie in 2008 for their semi-annual national convention, held at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center. He served as Chairman for that convention meeting. Besides his parents, was preceded in death by his loving wife of twenty-five years, Rebecca J. Pearson and a brother, Vernon D. Pearson. Dr. Pearson is survived by two sons, David V. Pearson (Jennifer) of Ashville, North Carolina and Robert S. Pearson (Angela) of Medina, Ohio; two daughters, Laure C. Mills and Nancy L. Richards (Jay) all of Erie; one sister Shirley J. Bothwell of Hopkins, MN; eighteen grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his dear friend, Allene Gildea and her family, Colleen Gildea of Erie; Meghan Pontius of Atlanta, Georgia; Kevin Gildea (Jennifer) of Portsmouth, Virginia; Michael Gildea of Erie; Alison Strazisar (Mark) of Erie; Corey Gildea (Sara) of North Olmsted, Ohio; and her five grandchildren. Friends may call at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Road on Thursday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. and are invited to attend a Memorial Service there on Friday at 10:00 a.m. conducted by the Rev. Terry Shaughnessy. Private interment will be at Laurel Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 707 Sassafras St., Erie, PA 16501, the student scholarship program at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, 1858 West Grandview Boulevard, Erie, PA 16509, or to student scholarship program at the Mid-West Tool Collectors Association c/o LeRoy E. Witzel, Treasurer, P.O. Box 355, Humboldt, Iowa 50548. Enhance your memorial with a slideshow and video