L. Richard Pierson

L. Richard Pierson, 79, of Jefferson Street, Meadville died peacefully at home on Tuesday, April 19, 2005.

He was the son of the late Leon and Lucile Richard Pierson, also of Meadville.  Richard, who was born September 30, 1925 in Bronxville, NY was the descendent of prominent Meadville families.  He was a direct descendent of Thomas Lord, Esq. who was a Revolutionary War veteran and one of Meadville’s early settlers who played a key role in the founding of Allegheny College in 1815.  His maternal grandfather, Paul Richard was a noted builder and architect who built many of the area’s fine late 19th Century homes and Allegheny College buildings.

Richard spent his early childhood in Bronxville, NY and Salisbury, MD where his father was a successful investor and businessman.  After his father’s death in 1939, he moved to Meadville with his mother, Lucile, and resided at 865 Grove Street.  Richard graduated from Meadville High School in 1942 and matriculated at Allegheny College at the age of 17.  He enlisted in the Army in 1943 and served until 1946 as a staff Sergeant at Ft. Sill, OK.  After World War II, Richard returned to Allegheny to complete his undergraduate degree in 1948 and then received his MBA from Harvard University in 1951.  He returned to active duty in the Army for the Korean War as a field artillery officer from 1951 to 1953.

He married at Lawton, OK on June 6, 1953, Alma Ruth Drieth, daughter of Lucas and Katherine Strecker Drieth of Chattanooga, OK.  He was employed as an accountant and Budget Director at Talon Inc. from 1953-1966.  In 1961-1962, he was recalled to active military duty as Captain and commanding officer of a local Army Reserve Artillery Unit for the Berlin Crisis.  Returning again to Talon, Richard was appointed Division Controller and transferred with his family to Stevensville, MI, where they stayed for eight years before returning to Meadville in 1974.  On returning to Meadville, he was appointed Director of Financial Analysis and International Controller.  When Talon was sold in 1983, he took early retirement and engaged in leadership roles with many local civic organizations.

Among his activities between 1983 and 2005, he was: a member and elected Elder of the First Presbyterian Church, founder and President of the Crawford County Genealogy Society, President of the Crawford County Historical Society, where he was instrumental in leading the restoration of the Baldwin-Reynolds House and Museum, elected Chairman of the Official Observances Committee of the Meadville Bicentennial Celebration, Director and Chairman of the Crawford County Chapter of the American Red Cross, Judge Advocate of the Meadville American Legion, Director of the Lakeland Museum, Director and President of the Retired Officers Association, President of the Greendale Cemetery Association, Vice President of the Sons of the American Revolution based on 10 Revolutionary War Veteran ancestors, and a member of the First Presbyterian Roundtable.

In 1985 Richard retired as a Lieutenant Colonel, US Army Reserve after 42 years of service.  His military decorations include, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Reserve Medal, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, National Defense Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.  His final assignment in the Army was as Dean of Instruction at the US Army Special Warfare School at Ft. Bragg, NC.

He is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Alma Ruth Pierson, three children, Ruth Ann Patterson and her husband Mark of Chambersburg, PA, Paul Richard Pierson and his wife Penny of Dover, DE and David Lee Pierson and his wife Marjorie of Durham, NC and seven grandchildren, Andrew and Philip Patterson, Sarah, Katie, Isabelle, William and Hayes Pierson.

Calling hours will be Saturday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut St., Meadville and Sunday from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in the church vestibule at the First Presbyterian Church, 890 Liberty St., Meadville.

The funeral service will follow Sunday at 3:30 p.m. at the church with the Rev. David Fugate, Associate Pastor, officiating.

Burial with military honors will be in Greendale Cemetery.