Robert Roland Pearson

Robert Roland Pearson May 16, 1938 - January 14, 2018 Robert Pearson was born in May 16, 1938 in Parkersburg, WV to Robert and Lillian Pearson. He was born into a hardworking, hands-on family. He graduated from Parkersburg High School in 1955. He attended Alderson Broadus College and graduated from Marietta College with a BS in Biology. Besides his education, “Bob” was a skilled tradesman. Like his father, he became a pattern maker and learned the foundry business. He met Ruth Evans from Pennsboro, WV at A-B and they married in 1960. Ruth earned her bachelors in Nursing in 1960. They were married in 1961, a union that lasted some 34 years. Bob and Ruth raised two children, Valerie (1962) and Greg (1964). Their values helped both kids lead successful lives. Bob ran his own pattern shop in Parkersburg until 1977 when he accepted a job with Sturm Machinery in Barboursville, WV where he would work for the next 20 years. The family moved to Huntington, WV. In 1995 Ruth passed away due to cancer. Bob was remarried to Vicky Fast, a lifelong friend of the family in 1996. He moved to St. Augustine, Fl where he lived until his passing. Bob was an educated, skilled tradesman. Like many in his family he had a passion for all things mechanical. If it had wheels and an engine, he was interested. This included cars, motorcycles and airplanes. He was a master mechanic and could fix anything. He restored countless motorcycles and cars. He had a fondness for racing, particularly motorcycle racing. He and son Greg spent countless summers as enthusiasts; whether as spectators, sponsors or helping Greg race vintage motorcycles. A culmination of this life in racing was acting with his son as a volunteer in building a racing display with the National Motorcycle Museum. Most of all, Bob dearly loved his family and friends. His easy-going style and friendly smile allowed him to befriend many. He had a thirst for learning about new persons, places and things. He was open minded and embraced people different from himself. He was commonly known as a “Renaissance Man” by many. He was knowledgeable about a wide variety of subjects including history, science, music, movies, as well as what the family called, “lots of useless trivia”. He loved animals, especially cats and “Little Kitty” would help bridge the gap between his two relationships in WV and Florida. Bob had two successful marriages and did a great job as a Dad. After moving to Florida, he was able to be near daughter “Nub” and her family and share in their lives. He volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and Meals on Wheels. During Bob’s last 21 years, spent with second wife Vicky, saw him enjoy retirement and the two traveled widely overseas as well as in this country, often on motorcycles. Bob was an outgoing, friendly personality, liked and respected by countless people. He was polite, honest, hardworking and loyal. Above all he was fun to be around, the kind of guy who you would want to run into on a trip or at the racetrack. He did indeed make a difference and made this a better world to live in. He is survived by his wife, Victoria Jane Pearson of St. Augustine; daughter, Valerie Francois (Brian) of St. Augustine; son Gregory Pearson (Tammy) of Milton, WV; stepsons, John Marinaro (Krista) of Morgantown, WV, Frank Marinaro (Jackie) of Jefferson, CO; mother, Lillian Horner of Parkersburg, WV; sister, Linda Dally of Parkersburg, WV, Ingrid Glover (Dave McKinney) of San Jose, CA; brother, David Pearson of Parkersburg, WV. There are 11 grandchildren; Alix Joseph, Anna Francois, Shane Pearson, Amanda Owens, Monica Bombard, Ashley Marinaro, Alek Marinaro, Jasmine Marinaro, John Marinaro, Jessica Marinaro, Benjamin Marinaro and 10 great grandchildren; Daphne Joseph, Bryce Joseph, Amyah Moore, Lina Owens, Isaiah Owens, Parker Bombard, Luke Bombard, Isabella Bombard, Gigi Bombard, Naudia Ng. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, January 20th, 2018 at St. Cyprians Episcopal Church, with Father Ted Voorhees officiating. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to; St Cyprian’s Episcopal Church 37 Lovett St St Augustine, Fl Doctors Without Borders, http://www.msf.org/en/donate, Community Hospice of Northeast Florida,https://www.communityhospice.com/give, PBS Station Jacksonville WJCT https://support.wjct.org/givinghomepage AMA 1979 Rookies (Charity for Professional Racers) http://www.amaft79.com/ The Jim Sumner Dash for Cash (Memorial motorcycle race purse is all donations in Jim Sumners memory) http://www.dairylandclassic.com/classic/index.php?file=jim_dash Arrangements are under the care of St Johns Family Funeral Home & Crematory.