Born in Ontario, Canada, he moved with his family at age 2 to Missouri, then to Eureka, KS. He became a U.S. citizen and served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, flying 30 bombing missions over Europe, including two on D-Day. After the war, he attended Emporia State Teachers College, where he met his wife, Wilma, then earned his B.S. in civil engineering from Kansas State University. In 1950, he joined Wilson & Co. engineering firm in Wichita, and in 1957 moved to the company’s home office in Salina. He rose to the position of managing partner before leaving Wilson & Co. in 1975, and owned and ran the Salina Planing Mill until 1984.

He was a member of the Salina Rotary Club, past president of the Chamber of Commerce, and active in support of the Silver Sabres Drum and Bugle Corps and Habitat for Humanity.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Wilma; daughter, Tania Houseweart, of Holden, Maine; sons, Kent Pearse (Anne Christensen), of Seattle, and Kim Pearse (Alison), of Overland Park; grandchildren, Megan Wilder (Nick) and Chad Houseweart; sister, Erma Jackson, of Kearney, NE.; sister-in-law, Mary Lou Pearse, of Elm Creek, NE; and numerous nieces and a nephews.

There will be no services. The family will hold a private gathering. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 1945, Salina 67401.