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BORN
1928
DIED
2017
Robert Pirsig Obituary
Pirsig's publishing house, William Morrow, announced that he died at his home in South Berwick, Maine.
"Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" was published in 1974 and fit the 1970s aesthetic well with the story of hitting the road on a motorcycle on a quest for knowledge. In the introduction of the novel, Pirsig explains that, despite the book’s title, "it should in no way be associated with that great body of factual information relating to orthodox Zen Buddhist practice. It's not very factual on motorcycles, either."
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Pirsig’s novel was a personal story based on a motorcycle trip he took in the late 1960s with his 12-year-old son, Chris. They rode from their home in Minnesota to the Dakotas. The book reveals the author’s struggles with schizophrenia. While on the trip, many philosophical discussions take place.
Critics hailed "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" as a brilliant blending of narrative story and philosophy.
The book took Pirsig four years to write and was rejected 121 times by publishers until William Morrow took on the book. The book has sold millions of copies worldwide. In 1979, tragedy befell Pirsig when Chris Pirsig was killed by a mugger in San Francisco. Subsequently, Pirsig added a touching tribute to his son in the afterword of the book.
"I think about him, have dreams about him, miss him still," he says now. "He wasn't a perfect kid; he did a lot of things wrong, but he was my son ..."
Pirsig wrote a follow-up book in 1991 titled "Lila: An Inquiry Into Morals," in which he developed a value-based metaphysics that he called Metaphysics of Quality.
Pirsig is survived by his wife, Wendy; his other son, Ted; a daughter, Nell Peiken, and her husband, Matthew Peiken; and three grandchildren.
Memories and Condolences
for Robert Pirsig
46 Entries
April 27, 2020
I am sorry regarding the loss of your loved one. May the God of Comfort, continue to comfort the family.
Tom Demeester
July 5, 2019
To a great man. Thank you for your words, your books.
Knokke-heist Belgium
Nancy Christ
February 19, 2019
What a difference this man's book has made in my life. I have the utmost gratitude. Thank you.
August 5, 2017
Thank you for your life and work.
Stan Colenso, East Helena, Montana August 2017.
July 17, 2017
Sorry to be this late, Mr Pirsig and your loved ones.
Calling from Sweden and just recently, on my 70th birthday , as a sign maybe, I recalled that your Zen book in a way established my Self.
I was a Young medical doctor coming back to Sweden after Medical studies in Germany. From intelligent and self reflecting Germany to mainstream and self-satisfied Sweden, this book Zen and the maintenance of a motorcycle, was in away life saving.
Life saving in the senes of saving my soul and spirit from decaying into a merely rational, logical, one-dimensional "clever" Swedish medical doctor.
Thank you, Robert Pirsig! In my heart you are afriend. And I hope that your beloved ones will get to know this.
Kersti Stromblad, born 26th of June 1947.
Stockholm Sweden.
Mrs. Lynch
May 1, 2017
My sincere condolences to the family. May the God who binds up the brokenhearted and comforts all who mourn, sustain your family during this difficult time - Isaiah 61:1, 2.
Kimberly Johnson
April 30, 2017
Kimberly Johnson
April 30, 2017
Carlotta
April 28, 2017
May the God of all peace bring comfort to the Pirsig family and friends at this difficult time.
Sabrina Ovalls
April 28, 2017
My deepest condolences for your loss may God lift up his face toward you and grant you peace. Numbers 6:26
April 27, 2017
My condolences to the family may you endure this difficult time. Matthew 11:28-30
NC
Barry Jeffers
April 27, 2017
April 26, 2017
May it comfort you to know that God as well as others care.
Sincerely
April 26, 2017
Time passes by so quickly it's our ability or lack of it to make the most of the time that we have. Many are the trials of life how we try to care or not care about their influence. May the good things of Life come your way, share your feelings and your wonderful time with your loved ones. This will soften the Heartbreak of loss. My sincere condolences.
Renee
April 26, 2017
To the family of Robert M. Pirsig, please accept my sincere condolence for the loss of your dear loved one. May the Hearer of prayer give your family strength, peace and comfort during your time of sorrow.
Psalm 65:2
April 26, 2017
My condolences to the Pirsig and extended family of Robert for the loss of your dear husband, father, grandpa and friend. May the presence of God be with you during this difficult time (Daniel 12:13) ~ Linda, Queens, NY
Christina C
April 26, 2017
My condolences to you and your family. Isaiah25:8
William Evans
April 26, 2017
So sorry to hear of your loss. Know it has been a hard road in the last few years for you and your family. My. Condolences to you and the family.. May he Rest In Peace.
Cheryl Lynn
April 26, 2017
May the God of all comfort be with the Pirsig family and friends during this difficult time.
April 26, 2017
Robert Pirsig's fine legacy will surely be remembered. May he forever be in our hearts and in God's book of life.
Melanie Carney
April 26, 2017
Truly a tortured genius. RIP. Much appreciation and respect. "Zen" meant a lot to me & is part of who I am. Thank you.
April 26, 2017
It can be so hard to face the first year without your loved one, but the love of family and friends can carry you through.
Robert Cumming
April 25, 2017
April 25, 2017 Condolences to the Pirsig family. Cherish your wonderful memories of your precious husband,father,family member and friend. Zen and the Art was a great book for the times in the 70's when so many were seeking so much and Robert offered his unique story to tell it. God bless Robert Pirsig.
Harve Samowit
April 25, 2017
I read his book Zen & as a freshman at Duke and it changed me. I became a double major in Philosophy and still look back on lessons learned from all this. He made me appreciate quality and ethics. Thank you Mr. Pirsig.
F Montag
April 25, 2017
Robert Persig opened my mind to a broader world and a simpler mind -- way back in 1981, at 18 years of age, when I read a passage from Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. I read the whole book three times over.
An exceptional writer in today's world of so many non-exceptional writers. He will be missed greatly by me and so many others. Rest well, Mr. Persig. Thank you for writing well.
Scott Chamberland
April 25, 2017
Rest in Peace
Harry Simpson
April 25, 2017
Godspeed Robert, and thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
Rest Robert, until you hear at dawn,
the low, clear reveille of God.
Thank you for your service to this nation.
Mary Green
April 25, 2017
My deepest Condolence to the family of Robert M PIRSIG you find comfort in knowing that others shares your sorrow with you. Take Comfort in knowing that God keeps those who dies in his memory for they are precious in his eyes. Psalm 116:15
D. G.
April 25, 2017
Extending my heartfelt condolences. God comforts those who mourn. Matt.5:4
Valenda Newell
April 25, 2017
THANKS FOR SHARING a piece of one's life with the world. We all have stories to tell, but don't have the patience or determination to get the job done. A GREAT MAN who was uniquely talented.....PRAYERS and BLESSINGS TO FAMILY
April 25, 2017
My sincere. Condolenses to the family who have lost their love one to death.God will comfort and sustain you during this difficult time because he cares for you.1Peter 5:6,7
April 25, 2017
May the words written in the bible for our comfort strengthen your saddened heart during this emotional time (Matthew 5:4 NWT)
Christina C
April 25, 2017
I am sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you during this difficult. Isaiah25:8
April 25, 2017
So sorry for the loss of your loved one. May God provide you comfort to get through the tough times ahead.
Kenya
April 25, 2017
My condolences to the family of Mr. Robert Pirsig.
May you gain strength from the God of all Comfort and his promise to see our loved ones again in paradise.
April 25, 2017
Sorry for your loss. May you draw comfort from the scripture at Ecclesiastes 9 : 5 that show your loved ones a resting in peace.
Julie Mayrose
April 25, 2017
You changed my life.
Reader/Admirer
April 25, 2017
Thank you, Mr. Pirsig, for sharing with us your deeply personal journey and life with your beloved, Chris. RIP, sir.
Mrs. K. Jackson
April 25, 2017
I'm sorry for the family's loss. No matter who it is the loss of life affects family in various ways. But the Creator of the world understands every person who has ever lived.why he or she does or did what he or she did or does. We can 100% confidence in his sovereignty to restore our loved ones to conditions that he purposed for humankind from the very beginning.
April 25, 2017
I am so sorry for your loss may you find comfort in 25:8 "He will swallow up death forever, And will wipe away the tears from all faces."
Ruth Rigby
April 25, 2017
Thank u Mr. PIRSIG for the novel ZenAAMM. I read it in 70's and have recommended it even recently. Maintenance on the heart was the best.
Amelia Schulz
April 24, 2017
Brothers in Arms.
April 24, 2017
Nice memories aboat the times family and friends spent. May God give you the comfort and Strength that you need to make it through this difficult time. God love you.
Adrian Barnette
April 24, 2017
We'll miss you !
Darlene
April 24, 2017
My condolences to the Pirsig family.
May the words Jesus spoke at John 6:44
give you comfort at this difficult time.
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