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William Pearcy Obituary
October 14, 1929 - November 22, 2025
I was born in Evanston, Ill., during the Great Depression. My parents, Noah Clyde and Minnie Louise (Barth) Pearcy, raised me in Park Ridge, a middle class suburb near Chicago. My father lost his job. Fuel, food and luxuries were scarce. Maybe that's why I became "parsimonious Pearcy," as friends later called me.
I was a shy kid. My love of nature and the great outdoors was kindled by summers on my grandfather's farm in southern Indiana. There I roamed the woods and streams and collected butterflies. After graduating from Main Township HS, I attended Iowa State College, where I received BS and MS degrees in Biology and was a member of Acacia Fraternity. I completed research on the limnology of Clear Lake, one of Iowa's few lakes.
With new knowledge of fresh water, I decided to study the Pacific Ocean at the University of Hawaii, but after a year I enlisted in the Navy at Pearl Harbor and eventually became an Air Intelligence Officer (1953-1956), briefing pilots regarding secret missions during the Cold War. During two aircraft carrier tours, I visited almost all the countries in the Mediterranean.
After discharge from the Navy, I cruised the Bahamas on a 40-ft ketch for six months. I married Nancy Wilson, my college girlfriend, and completed my PhD at Yale University with a thesis on early ecology of winter flounder in the Mystic River estuary, Connecticut.
After only a phone interview in 1960, I became one of the five founding members of the new Department of Oceanography at Oregon State College (now OSU). I researched and taught about swimmers of the sea (fishes, squids, shrimps) for over 40 years. I conducted some of the first research on the ocean ecology of Pacific salmon. I enjoyed wonderful sabbaticals in Japan, Chile, Miami, La Jolla and Norway, and research cruises on Japanese research vessels studying food habits of salmon. I published more than 150 scientific papers, wrote a book on the Ocean Ecology of North Pacific Salmonids, and advised 40 Master's and PhD students. Accolades included awards from the American Institute of Fishery Research Biologists, the North Pacific Marine Science Organization, and others.
Nancy and I had three children, Lisanne, Mark and Karla - all nearly perfect and all different. Nancy was a fine mother. We enjoyed many family camping trips around the West, including driving the partially paved Alaska Highway in our station wagon. I spent my non-working hours outdoors as much as possible - fishing, hunting and hiking.
After retiring and getting divorced, I married Amy Schoener, a fellow scientist and soul mate. We began a life of adventure, sea kayaking, birding trips, camping and volunteering. Amy and I bought a 60-acre farm near Philomath, Ore., where she raised sheep and I tended our fruit trees for many years. Some of our acreage was designated a permanent conservation easement. When Amy died in 2016, I continued to live on the farm with my faithful dogs, a big garden, honey bees, and a few steers, selling fruit until my death.
My siblings Don and Marilyn are deceased. My brother, David (TX) survives me, along with my children, Lisanne Pearcy (Dallas, OR), Mark Pearcy (Burlingame, Calif.) and Karla Pearcy-Marston (Portland, Ore.), as well as my three granddaughters, Marian Pearcy (CA), Susanna Pearcy Schaeffer (WA) and Athene Marston (OR).
It has been a grand ride - thanks to my fate and fortune, and especially love amongst my many good friends and family. My deepest gratitude to all. I will have a green burial in the Wren cemetery and transition to new life under a big oak tree. A celebration of my life will be held at a future date. Memorial donations may be made to the Union of Concerned Scientists, Audubon Society or Oregon Food Bank.
Memories and Condolences
for William Pearcy
Mark Hixon
January 6, 2026
I knew Bill as a colleague while I was a prof at OSU from 1984 until 2013. The key word that comes to my mind about Bill is "kindness." Bill interviewed me and helped me land a part-time position in Oceanography because I was splitting a position in Zoology when I first arrived at OSU. While he lived in Corvallis, we would play tennis on occasion (and he would always beat me). Bill ably led a group of us in submersible dives off the Oregon coast from 1987 to 1990 (see photo). We shared a love of fishes, and after he retired, I taught Bill's nekton course at OSU for a while. Bill and Amy would host my family and at their farm regularly, including annual invitations to cut a Christmas tree. It was always so comfortable being with them. Bill Pearcy was an excellent colleague and a tremendous human being. I will miss him.
Kim Bernard
December 23, 2025
I met Bill several years ago and knew right away that he was one of life's gems. He had watched a lecture I'd given about my research over Zoom and had asked Clare Reimers and Waldo Wakefield to invite me out to his farm with them for lunch. He was a treasure trove of information and stories, but he wanted to know about me and my stories. He really listened and was so encouraging and supportive. He showed me around his beautiful farm, asked me if I knew what the vine growing on his back porch was (was it a kiwi? I can quite remember). He pointed out the duck on his pond, and just about lost it laughing when I asked him what species it was - it was a wooden decoy... He sent me home with flowers picked from the garden. He would send me texts with photos of garden flowers, fruit, or his latest paintings. Sometimes his notes were hilarious - it felt like he was doing his best to cheer me up after a rather rough patch in my life. After a while, life got busy and suddenly a year passed since we'd been in touch. He reached out recently and invited me to visit him at the farm again. Sadly, I didn't get out there before he passed and I regret that so much. My sincere condolences go to Bill's family, his friends, and everyone who knew him. Bill was one of those rare people who, even if your cross paths briefly, he has an impact. You know your life is richer for having spent time with him. His love for the world around him, his curiosity, his generosity, his approach to life in general was so inspiring. Rest in peace under that old oak tree, Bill.
Brendan Laurs
December 13, 2025
Bill was one of my favorite people in the world. He was like an uncle to me, and I looked up to him in so many ways. I got to know Bill through his wonderful association with my dad, Mike Laurs, whom Bill advised while getting his PhD in Oceanography at OSU. Bill and my dad enjoyed a close relationship and they became life-long friends, spending many good times in the outdoors together-mostly fly fishing in the Pacific Northwest, as well as further around the world (Tasmania, New Zealand, etc.). I started joining the fishing trips with the FOCOFF group when I was teenager, going to eastern Oregon, Northern California and Montana. I loved the camaraderie of the group, and was always impressed by what a good fisherman Bill was...he always seemed to catch more trout than anyone else (but was never boastful about it), and because of this my dad and I often referred to him as "The Master." On slow fishing days, we had a saying that if "The Master" didn´t catch any fish, then nobody could!
The highlight of my time with Bill was living at Cloud Run for six months in around 1996. I had recently completed my MS thesis in geology at OSU, and had returned there for a post-graduate project. Bill invited me to stay in the garage apartment at Cloud Run, which was one of the best experiences of my life. Bill and Amy were so welcoming, thoughtful, and fun to be around, and we enjoyed many wonderful dinners and great conversations about fishing, wine making, gardening, geology, nature, and traveling. Bill had a curiosity about the natural world that was unparalleled, and he knew so much about so many things! I loved our adventures together when we´d jump into his Volkswagen Rabbit and take off in search of steelhead, sea-run cutthroat, chanterelle mushrooms, or a visit to an old-growth forest.
After moving back to the San Diego area, where I launched my career and eventually started a family, I wasn´t able to visit Bill very often, but when we did see each other it was like no time had passed. Bill developed a fondness for my daughter Sierra, and he was always so engaging and interested in her, which was touching to watch. Particular highlights were berry picking together at Cloud Run, wild rides on the swing in the front yard, and playing instruments together such as the guitar and lute.
I see Bill as a model for everything good in a person, and for living a full life. Although I will miss him greatly, and I am so very grateful for the opportunity to have had him as a friend and mentor.
Jim Sumich
December 11, 2025
I first met Bill as an oceanography MS student in his marine fishes course in 1968. As an extension of that course, a few classmates and I coerced Bill into offering a special topics course on marine mammals. That course was the spark for my life-long interest in cetacean biology, and a few years later I was back at OSU in the now School of Oceanography for a PhD with Bruce Mate. Bill served on my dissertation committee and was extremely helpful with his editing skills, convincing me that all that red ink on the drafts that I submitted to him was a good thing. My books and papers that followed on marine biology and marine mammals all benefitted from his valuable input. Thanks, Bill.
How you can show support
Selina Heppell
December 10, 2025
Bill! You were such a mentor and supporter for me, and a great friend to our Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences. Always sharing your deep knowledge of the sea, always seeking ways to support our students and young faculty. You lived life to its fullest, and will be remembered.
Franklin E. White
December 10, 2025
I was one of Bill Pearcy´s graduate students (MS 1969). The Navy gave me only a year to get my degree and I am forever grateful to Bill for shepherding me through a tough year and helping me get my degree. I followed his advice and went into undersea surveillance and intelligence when I was commissioned as an Ensign later in 1969. Coming from Colorado, Dr Pearcy helped me manage the firehose of information in the new (to me) world of the Oceans and I learned so much. I have lost track of him over the years but he lived a wonderfully long life and lived it so well. I offer condolences to his family but I celebrate his life and am grateful for having known him.
Jana Seeliger
December 9, 2025
Sure good to have a few memories of Bill and Amy. I missed Amy when she passed, and I miss Bill. Nice people! They both worked very hard as scientists trying to take care of our Earth in particular ways.
Mary Yoklavich
December 8, 2025
Bill was a dear friend and a mentor. We conducted research together on marine fishes and fisheries off the Oregon coast. His research papers were foundational to my own studies. We played cribbage and shared thoughts on conserving and protecting our marine resources.
I was incredibly fortunate to have known Bill and send my deepest sympathies to his family. We all have lost a very kind, accomplished , and caring human being.
Stacy Moore
December 8, 2025
"Fifteen for two, fifteen for four and a pair for six."
Bill I will forever miss our cribbage games in your cozy kitchen together with a warm cup of tea and mindful conversations about nature and the state of the world.
Thank you Bill, for creating a sense of kinship within the neighborhood, local conservation groups and acquaintances. Your forward-thinking vision and kindness drew people to you, and we all feel that you made the world a better place.
There is a big hole in my heart dear friend. I miss you so much. I feel you close when I am out in nature - you are with me still.
Stacy Moore
"To live in this world you must be able to do three things:
to love what is mortal;
to hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends on it;
and, when the time comes to let it go,
to let it go. (Mary Oliver)
Helena Molina-Ureña
December 8, 2025
Dearest Bill.
I was one of your M.Sc. student back in 1987-1989, who was able to go to OSU thanks to a Fulbright scholarship.
I have the fondest memories of your guidance in and out of the academic world. I got many anecdotes to reminisce and be grateful for.
You painstakingly corrected the spelling and grammar of this Costa Rican student of yours. That got especially intense when I started reading the whole saga of Lord of the Rings and I inserted plenty of archaisms in my thesis chapters. You kept reminding me I was no J.R. Tolkien, hahaha.
When you explained the art of fly fishing, first you had to clarify me that you actually didn't catch flies, nor did you used real flies to catch fish. I so enjoyed your stories of your vacations gone fishing. I now see you fishing to your heart's content.
I still hear your laughter when I told you my classmates nicknamed me "The Frozen Costa Rican". I also fondly remember the day of my M.Sc. defense, when you introduced me to the audience, expressing your surprise that I was "cool as a cucumber", ready to defend and finish my graduate work.
Your warmth, mentorship, and sense of humor helped me a great deal to survive the coldest Corvallis winters, the hardships of grad school, and the normal homesickness. You not only allowed me, but also pushed me to go onboard the R/V Wecoma with you in my first ever research cruise, in the Pacific open waters off Oregon.
I'll forever be thankful for everything you did for all your students. Whenever and wherever I met former students from your lab, we shared that common family-like thread you wove among us, even if we didn't meet during our grad life.
Your legacy lives on.
My deepest sympathies to your family. Godspeed, dear Bill.
David Pearcy
December 7, 2025
What an encouraging and humorous brother you´ve been, Bill. We´ve had some great fishing trips and vacation with you!
Joe Fisher
December 7, 2025
I first met Bill when I entered graduate school in 1975 to study biological oceanography at Oregon State University. He was my graduate advisor and later boss and colleague on a project to study the early life in the ocean of Pacific salmon. He gave me many oportunities to collaborate on papers and participate in research cruises, for which I am very grateful. Over the years my family and I enjoyed visits to Bill and Amy´s farm, sharing meals, harvesting christmas trees, and Amy and my wife Madeline sharing their passion for raising sheep. Bill was a great teacher, boss, colleague and friend. My family and I owe him a lot and will miss him.
Corby Chappell
December 7, 2025
I grew up on 29th street in Corvallis a couple of doors down and across the street from the Pearcy´s home. My siblings and I played with the Pearcy children and we were all good friends. As I got older Bill took me winter steelhead fishing with his son Mark on the Alsea River and he caught one of the biggest winter steelhead I have ever seen in the middle of a huge snow storm. I would also cross paths with him while fishing the Siletz River. He was definitely an outdoorsman. I am sending love and condolences to the Pearcy family.
Phil Burkum
December 7, 2025
Bill was an inspiration and instructor by-example for how to properly age. I'll miss my neighbor, fellow man of the sea and friend.
Robert Siegel
December 7, 2025
Bill was a lover of life. We will always remember his kind and gentle spirit. We also share his love for quince "Membrillo". Rob and Paula Siegel
Guillermo Giannico
December 6, 2025
I will miss you dear Bill. Your zest for life, your integrity, your intelligence and your knowledge made you one of a kind. People like you should live forever, or at least until all the rest of us are gone so we don't feel the pain your absence will leave behind. Rest in peace my friend.
Gerry and Nancy Brown
December 6, 2025
Bill was a wonderful father in law to our son Jason. We enjoyed his friendship and enjoyed eating and playing together at his farm near Philomath. We are proud of his international reputation as a leading marine biologist. Once while visiting friends in Karachi, Pakistan, a young student of oceanography mentioned that she had read one of his books and was impressed with what he said and with his standing as a leading oceanographer.
James H Davis - fraternity brother
December 6, 2025
I never met Bill, but talked to him over a dozen times as he was an older brother of mine at the Iowa State University Acacia Fraternity. I learned that he was a very hard working - even in his eighth decade. Bill was a crusty, educated man who loved his "farm" and "farming". He was disheartened when he could no longer climb a ladder to trim his fruit trees. All of we brothers who knew Bill or even knew of him loved our brother. We mourn the loss of him, but he is now in our Acacia Chapter Eternal.
David L Stein
December 6, 2025
I worked for and with Bill from 1969 to 1991 as his primary technician/assistant and co-PI. He was not only a first rate scientist but a first rate human being and it was a real privilege to be his associate. He was generous with his time and knowledge to everyone and encouraged me, his students, and his colleagues to think for ourselves and to follow our interests. He taught me a lot and without him I would not have been able to have the career I have had, so thanks, Bill, for everything.
Charlene Reagan
December 6, 2025
Remembering my uncle Bill with love. His laughter, his devotion to family and friends, and his joy in the land and water will always stay with me. The time on his farm he shared was a gift I will always treasure! Uncle Bill will be missed! xoxox
Sandra Coveny
December 5, 2025
Bill Pearcy and Amy Schoener became our chosen family in 1997, when Bill hired me as the Marys River watershed council coordinator. I was 8 weeks pregnant with my first child. What began with conservation work on their property (projects that spanned 12 years!) grew into a bond that spanned nearly three decades. I only have digital photos from recent years but I include some of my favorites here.
Bill taught my son Adin to kayak at four years old and opened his eyes to every newt, snake, turtle, and edible fruit on the property. Bill had a few pieces of corrugated sheet metal in his field as snake warmers, which became my son´s go-to as soon as we got to Cloud Run. It is probably why Adin had pet snakes starting at 7. My kids both considered Bill and Amy among their grandparents. Amy and my daughter Kiyomi were kindred spirits from the time Kiyomi could walk, sealed when they floated the Marys River together in inner tubes when Kiyomi was three and a half. They would come spend time each summer with us at our beach house - bringing whatever dogs they had at the time. We treasure the watercolors Bill painted and let us choose to take home. And we all have special gifts from Amy that we treasure. But mostly we treasure the many memories of times together.
After Amy died, we all grew even closer to Bill. Our friendship helped us to keep Amy present - in our stories and in our memories. With my kids grown and out of the house, Bill and I had more time to visit. These visits had a rhythm: Several projects in the yard, drinks on the porch or in the living room, depending on the weather, a meal together (usually something local one of us had foraged or bought), sharing book recommendations, and always - always - a game of cribbage before I made the trip home. One or the other of us would often check in about when we might visit next, and once he got used to his iPhone, he sent me some truly hilarious invites (the bomb shelter one included here).
Even when Bill was barely able to walk, we gathered fallen apples for the steers he was raising - him using his walker or sometimes crawling, me biting my tongue trying not to tell him to be careful. The man had more will and determination than anyone I know. His sense of humor and love for adventure never dimmed.
We never ran out of things to talk about. Bill was current on everything, curious about everything, generous with his knowledge and his friendship.
When I talked with Bill over the phone when he was in the hospital (I was out of town), he told me that he wanted me to know that he considered me his best friend - and was thankful for all of the years we had. I will always cherish that gift. Indeed we talked about every aspect of life,work, and family over the years, but it was a rare moment that day where I knew that he knew he may not get another chance to say goodbye. Thankfully we did get another brief visit, but we didn´t have to say last words - instead we talked of my travels (he asked) and my kids (he asked) and then he told me about some of the people in the dining hall and what remarkable lives they had lived. And he told me he did not want to die in rehab. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Lisanne and Karla and Mark, and Bill´s incredible will and determination, he got his wish. Bill´s joy, his sharp mind, his warm heart, his loyalty, and his indomitable spirit are with me always. I love him dearly, and I´ll miss him every day.
Tom Pearcy
December 5, 2025
Unfortunately, I did not get to spend much time with my Uncle Bill. But I was always in awe of his career as a Marine Biologist, who got to work on FLIP, and his work as a university professor.
In addition, I loved his close relationship with nature and the animals on his farm. He will be sincerely missed by everyone who he touched during his long life.
Alex weiss
December 5, 2025
Bill, the four months I spent living with you and Amy in 2004 were some of the most formative and inspiring months of my life. I have endless gratitude for what you taught me, the responsibility you gave me and the freedom I had to roam the natural environment surrounding the magnificent Mary´s river area. I feel you deeply in my heart.
Alex
Stan Gregory
December 5, 2025
Kathy and I had the gift of Bill´s friendship for more than 40 years. His passsing hurts and leaves an empty space right now, but he will return to us in memories time and time again in the months and years to come. In our hearts, Bill will always be with us at Cloud Run Farm, enjoying margaritas, sharing the love of rivers and the world, full of curiosity, modestly sharing his extensive knowledge, listening to music, catching us up on his amazing circle of friends, and talking lovingly about his family. We have been lucky to have this quiet giant of a man in our lives all these years. He will remain a gift to us and generations of scientists who read his work but did not have a chance to know him.
Stan and Kathy
Andrea Davis
December 4, 2025
I´ve seen Bill around the community for many years, but only got to know him better in the last year and a half or so, as I came over to have lunch with him and then do some cleaning weekly for a while. His kindness, his endless curiosity about the world, and his love of his beautiful place. There were very inspiring to me. I will miss you, Bill, and this community that you gave so much too Will miss you as well.
Stacy Moore
December 3, 2025
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