Richard Pearce, loving husband, father and grandfather, died April 5, 2020, from complications of the post polio syndrome. Born April 14, 1932, in New York City to Ethel and Samuel Pearce, Richard received his Ph.D. from Columbia University and taught English at Wheaton College for 37 years. He enjoyed teaching and research, publishing six books on modernist narrative, with a specific focus on James Joyce. And in his post-retirement years he traveled in Western states and published his final book on Native American women’s ledger art.

He was married to Jean Kudo on Dec. 26, 1954, and together they raised two daughters, Karin and Emily. Richard and Jean enjoyed traveling and friends. His loves of cooking, reading, gardening and fishing have passed down to his daughters and his grandchildren.

Richard is remembered for his love of life and people, his warmth and quirky sense of humor. He leaves his wife Jean, to whom he was married for 65 years, daughters Karin Pearce-Small and Emily Pearce-Spence, sons-in-law James Small and Gerard Spence, and grandchildren Dylan and Austin Small and Lucy and Jeremy Spence. He is missed by many.