Robert Pierson

ROBERT E. PIERSON

Cedar Rapids

Robert E. Pierson, 86, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016, at Hiawatha Care Center of complications from a stroke. Services will be Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 11:30 a.m. at St. James United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids, with a visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. The Rev. Carol Sundberg will officiate. Burial will be at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Robert E. Pierson was born Jan. 12, 1930, to Roland and Ruth Souerwine Pierson in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He proudly served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean conflict. He obtained his bachelor's degree in business from the University of Iowa. Robert was a skilled florist who owned and operated Pierson's Flower Shop & Greenhouses Inc.

Robert served as president of the following organizations: Linn County I Club, Society of Iowa Florists and Cedar Rapids Executive Club. He was a member of the Crescent Lodge and served in the color guard and potentate of El Kahir Shrine.

He was united in marriage to Nancy Pierson in 1952 in Cedar Rapids. To this union four children were born. She preceded him in death in 1998. He later was married to Diane Fisher on Jan. 15, 2000, in Cedar Rapids. They enjoyed traveling together.

Robert was an avid fan of the Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball teams. He was an accomplished swimmer at the YMCA and loved working in his garden. He was a lifelong member of St. James Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Diane; children, Rollie (Susan) Pierson and Allan (Tami) Pierson, both of Cedar Rapids, Linda Newell of Concord, N.H., and Karen Pierson of Marion; sister, Pat Snyder of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Sabrina, Ashley, Dustin, Jordan, Jenna, Katrin and Angelina; and great-grandchildren, Nolan and Cole.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Nancy; and grandson, Brett Newell, in 1995.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.