Robert Francis Pearson

(October 1, 1926 - November 23, 2017)

It is somehow fitting that Robert Francis Pearson went home to the Lord on Thanksgiving morning. We are grateful for his life and legacy.

He was born to Carl and Sophie Valerie Pearson on October 1, 1926 in Chicago, IL. Rob/Robby (later called Bob)was the baby of the family, beginning high school while his siblings were away at war and beginning their adult lives. He was a good athlete, part of the 1943 national championship football team in his junior year at St.George High School!

Robert was drafted for World War II service even before graduation. His mom appealed to the draft board for a delay and just days after completing high school he was off to Fort Sheridan for Army basic training and then sent to Puerto Rico, where he served his country and came to detest mashed potatoes!

Fresh out of the Army he returned to Chicago. He started college, attending DePaul University and University of Detroit, and playing nose tackle on the football team. He later moved on to a semi-pro football team and wondered what his football career would have been had he not been drafted. Bob also held jobs working as a Chicago cab driver, ice cream deliveryman, and for a poultry company where he had the unpleasant chore of wringing chicken and turkey necks.

Meanwhile his family had relocated to Southern California. Bob joined them in the late 1950s. He graduated from Cal State LA and began his accounting career.

In the spring of 1962, while attending a Catholic alumnae function at the house of his friend, Sal, Bob asked him to introduce him to "that raving beauty across the room". Sal's sister, Frances and Bob were married just a few months later.

By the 70's their lives had been brightened with children. David and Linda had come along and Robert had started his own business. It should be noted that he wore a suit to work every day and his employees addressed their boss as "Mr. Pearson". Later on, when Bob wore a suit to the hospital to meet newborn grandchildren, it was his way of marking a very special occasion.

Bob thrived on running Pearson's Financial Service, playing golf, and time spent taking memorable vacations over the years such as Grand Canyon and Europe where he met his father's family in Sweden.It was also very important for him to take his children to mass and he preferred to go on Saturday evenings because there was no music. David and Linda have fond memories of his loud whistle that could be heard from down the street was the signal that it was time for dinner. And the grandchildren remember Grandpa barbecuing hamburgers and hot dogs and making "black cows" which we native Californians call root beer floats.

Bob lost his dear Frances in 2006. In his later years he enjoyed living with Linda and her family for five years before moving into Sunlit Gardens Assisted Living, where he loved having visits from and outings with his children and six grandchildren. He was blessed with many years of life, witnessing the baptisms of and even getting to know two great-grandchildren. We are grateful for his legacy of hard work and love for God and family. We will miss him always.

Survivors include: son David (Patti) Pearson, daughter Linda (Tom)White, grandchildren Pamela (Daniel)Cuatt, Brian (Arden)Pearson, Eric and Matthew Pearson, Amanda and Aaron White, and great-grandchildren Aubree and Ethan Pearson.

In lieu of flowers, please direct to the following organization

Saint Jude was Dad's favorite saint so in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

https://www.stjude.org/

Arrangements under the direction of Stone Funeral Home FD272, Upland, CA.