Savannah – Dr. Thomas E. Pearsall died on June 3, 2015. Dr. Pearsall was a veteran of World War II where he served in the Navy and spent his tour of duty in the Pacific.  Upon returning from the war in 1945, he went back to high school in Woodmere, Long Island (New York) to earn his diploma and there met the love of his life, Annie Chimato.  They married in September 1946 after they both graduated.  Pearsall attend Colgate University in Hamilton, New York on the G.I. Bill and also participated in R.O.T.C. during those school years.  Upon his college graduation in 1949, he joined the Air Force where he served 20 years, including six years as a navigator in the Strategic Air Command and ten years teaching English at the U. S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  He earned the rank of Colonel as well as two more academic degrees, Masters of Arts in English from the University of Texas and a Ph.D in English Literature from the University of Denver, before retiring in 1969.

Upon his retirement from the Air Force, Dr. Pearsall joined the faculty of the University of Minnesota.  He had a twenty-year career in the Rhetoric Department on the St. Paul Campus and earned the designation of professor emeritus as well as being appointed the Head of the Department of Rhetoric in 1982.  He was the author of a number of college textbooks, including Reporting Technical Information; How to Write for the World of Work; and Elements of Technical Writing (all with various other authors).  He served as president of the Association of Teachers of Technical Writing and is the founder and first president of the Council for Programs in Technical and Scientific Communication.  One of his most honored achievements was becoming a Fellow of the Society of Technical Communication, a professional society for the advancement of the theory and practice of technical communication.

In 1989, Dr. Pearsall and Annie retired once again and moved to the Landings in Skidaway Island, Georgia.  There they made many great and loving friendships that sustained them for all the years since then. Dr. Pearsall is survived by his wife of 69 years, Annie, his two sons, Morgan and his wife, Laurie, who live in Oak Brook, IL., David, who lives in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. and his daughter, Susan Pearsall, who lives in Orlando, FL. A third son, Mark, predeceased him in 2005.  There are also seven wonderful grandchildren: Brittany, Madison, Zachary, Samantha, Deirdre, Braden and Sydney, who also brought so much joy to his life.  And we want to thank all of the supportive people at The Marshes, especially Tom’s caregivers, Janice Jenkins and Aldrick “Al” Barr.

He will be deeply missed, but always remembered for the love and guidance he provided throughout his life. A Memorial Service will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 6, 2015 at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel with The Rev. Mark Ross officiating. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite educational institution, or Hospice of Savannah, P.O. Box 13190, Savannah, GA 31416.

Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel