Dr Carl Erik Pearson

1922 - 2016

Carl Erik Pearson

Dr. Carl Erik Pearson, Professor Emeritus of Applied Mathematics of the University of Washington, passed away on Monday, August 8th, in Issaquah Washington. He was born in 1922 in Vitemolla, Sweden, and moved with his family to Vancouver, British Columbia in 1925. He graduated from John Oliver High School in 1939 and the University of British Columbia in 1944, and served in the Royal Canadian Navy during the 2nd World War. Dr. Pearson obtained his Ph.D. from Brown University in 1949, and became a U.S. citizen in 1957. During his career he taught at Harvard University and the Technical University of Denmark, and worked at the Arthur D. Little Company, Sperry Rand Company, and the Boeing Company. Professor Pearson concluded his career with 25 years at the University of Washington, where he taught in the Aeronautics and Astronautics Department, and was instrumental in the founding of the Applied Mathematics Department, where he taught and conducted research for many years. He is the author and co-author of several books in applied mathematics, some recognized as classics in the field.

After retiring from the University of Washington in 1992, Dr. Pearson relocated to Issaquah, where he remained professionally active for many years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Belinda, and is survived by his brother Lennart, children Margaret, Fred, and Erik, and grandson Aidan. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Pearson Fund for Applied Mathematics at the University of Washington. There will be no public service.