Paul Pearson, M.D., founding director of the Munroe-Meyer Institute, died Sept. 8 at the age of 95.
Dr. Pearson served as MMI’s first director, from 1968 to 1982, before becoming professor emeritus of pediatrics at UNMC. When Dr. Pearson started, MMI was known as the C. Louis Meyer Children’s Rehabilitation Institute.
Bruce Buehler, M.D., who took over as MMI director when Dr. Pearson stepped down, called his predecessor a visionary.
“He saw the need for services for children with special needs,” Dr. Buehler said. “He got a federal grant and built MMI in the late 50s. That grant has been the foundation for all MMI programs.
“He was truly committed to special children,” Dr. Buehler said.
Mike Leibowitz, Ph.D., former director of MMI, said Dr. Pearson’s visionary efforts laid the groundwork for today’s institute.
“He was a wonderful mentor, friend and caring pediatrician who brought together a small group of interdisciplinary faculty who provided services and supports to children and families, began the institute’s training program by securing federal funds and expanded clinical research,” Dr. Leibowitz said.
Current MMI director Karoly Mirnics, M.D., Ph.D., said Dr. Pearson had “guided MMI through its baby steps with care, wisdom and patience.”
Although he never met Dr. Pearson, Dr. Mirnics said Dr. Pearson lives on in the work of MMI.
“In a way, we are all Dr. Pearson’s descendants,” he said. “We carry on his vision, caring, hard work and excellence in all of our activities. He lives on in our institute, our hearts and our daily deeds. We mourn him, and we celebrate his legacy. We proudly carry the torch lit by him and we remember. We will continue to make him proud.”
Dr. Pearson also created the Gladys Pearson Grant in 1989 to honor his late wife. Dr. Pearson intended the grant to provide support for training and research in the areas of pediatric cancer and genetics.
According to his obituary in the Omaha World-Herald, Dr. Pearson was born in the Belgian Congo of Africa and lived there until the age of 12. He graduated from Northwestern School of Medicine and served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps from 1947 to 1949 in Yokohama, Japan.
The obituary lists Dr. Pearson’s survivors as his wife, Violet; sister, Barbara; daughters, Kim, Wendy, and Leigh; daughter-in-law, Jocelyn; beloved patriarch to Todd, Lisa, Jason, Deborah, Tom and Linda; eight grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren.
For Dr. Pearson’s obituary in the Omaha World-Herald, click here.
Services will be held Oct. 3 at 2:30 p.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, 9302 Blondo St., Omaha. Memorials are suggested to All Saints Episcopal Church, Josie Harper Hospice House, or the University of Nebraska Foundation.