Robert D. Pearce

Robert D. Pearce, a long-time Cumberland County resident, including 40 years in Monroe Township, passed June 6, 2026, one week shy of his 81st birthday. He was a Marine Corps veteran with a tour in Vietnam in the mid-'60s. He subsequently worked as a field engineer for Unisys and its predecessor Burroughs, both in Harrisburg. 

He was the son of Vivian McCarl Pearce and Robert H. Pearce of New Cumberland and Camp Hill. He was the grandson of Mae Wagner McCarl and Joseph McCarl of New Cumberland. He lost his Cedar Cliff H.S. and golf buddy Alan Snell in June 2016. With Alan and his wife Linda Winter Snell, Rob and his wife Barbara Smith Pearce had been a foursome in camping and vacation travel for some five decades. Favorite destinations included Outer Banks, Vermont and Lake Raystown. Rob is survived by his wife of 57 years; his brother in law and golf partner William D. Smith; his sister in law Trudie Bronstein Smith; and nephews Sam Smith and Coby Smith and their families. In addition to activities with a group of Cedar Cliff classmates from 1963, he enjoyed time with family and friends in the mid-state area, Ohio, Michigan, Tennessee and Florida. Also surviving him are cousin Karen Pearce of California and close friends Christopher, Sue and Craig Donahue; Sandy and George Cartledge; Sheila Harman and Jim Nesbit; Pauline Olsson and Larry Swartz; Liz and Dave VanWye; and Kim Snell-Zarcone and Tom Zarcone.

He was grillmaster for family gatherings and prepared chops and salmon for his in laws Elsie and Bill Smith for their birthdays. He got together with former co-workers at breakfasts in Enola. He took photography classes at the Art Center in Mechanicsburg. He had processed his own film and prints. He admired Ansel Adams.

He had taken classes at Harrisburg Area Community College.

He was a fan of the Phillies, Eagles, NASCAR and F1 racing. He was an avid reader of science fiction, mysteries and Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings Trilogy. He knew dialog from The Big Bang Theory.

He had great care for Alzheimer’s and its complications, and for PTSD, from many angels at Messiah Lifeways and Homeland in recent months. Hoping he will be meeting at the Rainbow Bridge with furries Tigger, Brandy, Sugar, Chris, Snowball, Dusty, Ali Baba, Patch, Ranger and Charlie. Remembrances will be held privately in the coming months.

He regularly supported the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Audubon, and local animal rescues should family and friends choose to make donations in his name.