The campus community mourns the passing of David Pearson, 85, who died Sunday, May 26. David retired from Bucknell in 2004 as Professor Emeritus of Biology after 37 years of service as a faculty member.
As a professor, David taught popular courses for both majors and non-majors and always cared about his students and their development as biologists. David was one of five founding faculty of an interdisciplinary course on AIDS, where he represented immunology (along with others who taught chemistry, virology, sociology, and economics). The success of this interdisciplinary course was one of the inspirations for the current curriculum requirement of an Integrated Perspectives class. David’s colleagues also remember him as a talented musician with a beautiful tenor voice.
I encourage you to visit our In Memoriam site to share personal notes of sympathy and remembrance with others.
On behalf of our entire University community, I extend our deepest sympathies to David’s family, as well as to all who knew him at Bucknell.
John C. Bravman
President
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David Duane Pearson passed away peacefully Sunday morning, May 26, 2024, at Buffalo Valley Lutheran Village Skilled Nursing in Lewisburg. He was 85 years old.
David, a native of Norwich, Conn., was the son of Russell and Ada Pearson. He was a distinguished alumnus of the University of Connecticut, where he completed his undergraduate studies and his master’s degree. He earned his PhD at the University of Kansas. In 1957, he married Ray Tourtellotte, and they had four children together. After their divorce in 1973, David married Janice McNeel Ames in 1974.
David began teaching at Bucknell in 1966 and remained a professor of biology there until his retirement in 2004. He taught Bucknell’s first biochemistry course and the first immunology course. The Society of Sigma Xi elected him as a member in 1966, and he served as an officer in the local chapter at Bucknell. His passion for teaching extended beyond the classroom, permeating every aspect of his life. He was a lifelong learner and generously shared his knowledge with all. Even after retirement, he continued to teach classes in the Lifelong Learning program at Bucknell and became involved in local activities — the Buffalo Valley Singers and Senior Bucknellians.
David’s altruism and dedication to service were evident in his continual community involvement. He generously gave his time and energy to Sun Home Health Services, Habitat for Humanity, the local food bank, and the Watershed Alliance. He was a Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church member for over 50 years, serving on the vestry and singing in the choir. His service left a lasting impact on the community.
He and his wife, Jan, were founding members of the Buffalo Creek Bogtrotters, a local old-timey band that graced venues such as the Scarlet D in Mifflinburg. More recently, Jan and Dave performed locally with the Americana band Vamp ‘Til Ready, which played weekly at DC Coffee and Tea in Mifflinburg. Their passion for the arts also led them to own a local bookstore, Ragtime, in the late 1970s.
He is survived by three children, David A. Pearson, Lauren Sanso, and Jennifer Napoli; a stepson, David Ames; a brother; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Celebration of life service for David and his wife, Jan, will be held at Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church on Sept. 21, 2024, at 11 a.m.