Robert F. Pierson

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Pierson, Robert F. February 4, 1935 - June 12, 2014 Robert Frederick Pierson, 79 of New Brighton, Minnesota, passed away peacefully, with his family by his side, the afternoon of June 12, 2014, only twelve days after losing the love of his life, his wife, Mariann. Robert (Bob) was born on February 4, 1935, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He attended grade school in Minneapolis and graduated from Edison High School in 1953. Bob was a standout athlete lettering in baseball and football. After high school, he followed his passion of being a pilot and joined the United States Air Force. Although Bob's eyesight prevented him from flying, he served 4 years active duty in the 69th Tactical Missile Squadron, stationed at Hahn Air Base in Germany. Following his active duty service, Bob served an additional 4 years in the Air Force Reserves. He received 3 medals during his service and was honorably discharged in 1961 with the rank of Staff Sergeant. Following his military service, Bob enrolled at the University of Minnesota's Institute of Technology. He graduated in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. After graduating, Bob started work at Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing (3M) where he worked as an engineer. He retired from 3M as a Design Engineering Manager in 1996 after 31 years. It is at 3M where he met his wife Mariann Walz. The two married on April 24, 1965, in Saint Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Belgrade, Minnesota. Bob loved sports and got his boys involved in many different sports. He coached their football and baseball teams for many years. When he wasn't coaching, you would always find him front and center at their sporting events. He always made time to teach and encourage his sons and their friends to be the best players, and people, they could be. Bob also loved to read westerns and political thrillers, listen to music, watch old western movies, travel, work with his hands, fix and repair anything, and talk politics, but he especially loved the time spent with his family in the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and walks with his Golden Retriever, Duke. He always planned, and looked forward to the family vacation in northern Minnesota each year. He had an incredible knack for catching fish. Even when his kids took all of the good lures in his tackle box, he still caught fish. But catching fish wasn't important, it was the quality time that he spent with his family that mattered most to him. Bob valued a good education. He spent many late nights with his boys answering questions and helping them solve problems, particularly in calculus and physics. He was very proud to see each of his boys follow in his footsteps and graduate from the University of Minnesota's Institute of Technology with a degree in engineering. Bob is a true inspiration and a hero to his kids. He will be deeply missed by his children. Steve (Kim), Scott, and Chris (Jennifer); grandchildren, Jordan and Emma; many cousins, nieces and nephews, and other family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Dorothy Pierson; many close aunts, uncles and cousins. A celebration of Bob's life will be held at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church at 835 2nd Avenue, New Brighton on Saturday June 21 at 10am. Visitation will be on Friday June 20 from 5-7pm at the Miller-Brighton Funeral Home at 706 4th Ave NW in New Brighton (651-636-9821) and one hour prior to the Mass at church. A private interment will be held at Fort Snelling on Monday June 23. Memorials preferred to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway - Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018, or online at pdf.org. Methven-Taylor.com

Published on June 19, 2014