Obituary of Kent Pearson

Dr. Kent S. Pearson, age 68 of Iowa City, passed away May 5, 2023, at home surrounded by his family, after a long battle with Parkinson’s.

He was born in Aurora, Illinois to Jack and Jean Pearson on February 12, 1955. He graduated with honors from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Rockford in 1981. He completed his anesthesia residency and critical care fellowship at Iowa, joining the department faculty immediately following this training. He leaves behind a legacy of being a wonderful and compassionate mentor, leader and medical director. Quoting the 2014 UIHC Excellence in Our Workplace Clinical Awards: “He is an outstanding mediator of conflict, a thoughtful and fair judge in times of disagreement, and has been a strong advocate for the nurses and patients within his unit.”

Over the years, he enjoyed such pastimes as tennis, racquetball, hiking, photography and traveling. There was never a time when Kent didn’t have a book he was reading or an article he was dissecting. Well into his retirement years, he was studying the latest in the medical field, reading journals, or doing Continuing Education classes. He was proud of the work he got to be a part of at the UIHC over the years, of the community he lived in, but above all, he was most proud of his growing family. His wife, Becky of 25 years; sister, Marcia of Santa Barbara, CA; five children: Justin Pearson of Scottsdale, AZ, Tyler (Julie) Pearson of San Francisco, CA, Tessa (Tom) Gray of Austin, TX, Melissa (Gabe) Isbell of North Liberty and Shannon (Patrick) Cutsforth of North Liberty; grandchildren: Max and Evan Pearson, Donny Pearson, Harrison Gray, Forest, Willow, Asher and Olive Isbell. Comparable to the legacy left at the UIHC, he led his home and family with dignity, understanding and love. He was a passionate and outstanding husband, father and grandfather, and will be sorely missed by all.

A special thanks to Griswold Home Care and Iowa City Hospice for making it possible to remain comfortably at home in his final months with his family.

A time for family and friends to gather to remember Kent will be held from 4-6:00PM on Saturday, May 20th at Grace Community Church in North Liberty. The evening will conclude with remarks shared by Chaplain Kirk Statler of Iowa City Hospice. Flowers are appreciated and enjoyed; however, if you prefer to make a memorial contribution, the family asks that you consider donating to the Parkinson’s Association or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.