On the morning of January 27th, Robert Henry Pearson answered the call to glory of his Lord and Savior. He was the beloved husband of Marion Iome Pearson, who passed away July 27, 2019.

Born Feb. 8th 1945 in New York City to Doctor and Theresa Pearson, Robert was the oldest of four children. The family lived on 117th Street in West Harlem until age 10 when the family moved to The Carver Houses on 99th Street in East Harlem.

Robert was educated in the New York City school system, attending Patrick Henry Junior High School and Samuel Gompers High School. After high school he joined the U.S. Marine Corp as a bandsman. After completing his time in the service, Robert began what was to be a successful career as a Wall Street Banker for Chemical Bank, now known as J.P. Morgan Chase. While there, he met and married the love of his life, wife Marion. And through this union three children were born, Elissa, Jason, and Robert Aaron.

Besides raising his family, Robert was an accomplished musician following in his father's footsteps. Starting in Junior High School with the clarinet, his musical accomplishments were legendary. A gifted prodigy, Robert learned to play every instrument in the band and orchestra included brass, woodwind and string varieties, as well as horns and drums. He marched with Harlem's Minisink Drum and Bugle Corp as lead drummer becoming a much sought after talent. He played trombone with local jazz and Latin quartets and ensembles including many of the great Latino bands of the era (Tito Puente, Johnny Pacheco, and Johnny Colon) who originated from Spanish Harlem, the area from which he grew up. He also sang and played piano/keyboards, going by the name "Dupree". During his musical career, Robert recorded a record as a singer that reached the Billboard Charts.

At the end of his banking career he continued playing the keyboard and singing for personal and family enjoyment.

Robert purchased and donated music books, instruments, and his time to local schools teaching music to disadvantaged youth in New York and Chesapeake, VA, where he received Man of the Year awards for his dedication and achievements.

Robert was dedicated to researching and documenting the Pearson ancestral legacy from slavery to modern time, also participating and executing family reunions and other events.

Robert went home cherishing memories of mother, Theresa of the Bronx, NY, brothers Randy and George of Harlem, NY and Roanoke Virginia respectively, sister Irene Hilliard of Anchorage, Alaska, (big sister cousin) Georgette Clark of New York City, daughters, Elissa Stewart of Nazareth PA, Giselle Pearson of Uniondale, NY, and sons Jason Pearson of Newark NJ, and Robert A. Pearson of Queens NY, a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and 9 loving grandchildren.

His good looks, charm, easy going mannerism and personality will be missed by all.

Relatives and friends are invited to a joint visitation for Robert and Marion on Saturday, February 22, 2020 from 12:00 noon – 3:00 p.m., with a time of sharing at 2:30 p.m., in the Schmidt Funeral Home, 407 Belvidere St., Nazareth. Burial will be private with the family.