Marshall Pierson

Marshall left us on February 26th 2011 to join the Greatest Physician. He was preceded in death by his daughter Susan grandson Robert his parents and his brothers Charles Bill and Jim. Marshall is survived by his wife of 69 years Mary Helen and their children Marshall (Julia) Jack (Jan) David (Karen) Mary (Bill Bordages) Michael (Ginny) Anne Robert (Val) son-in-law David Cutler; 22 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. He is also survived by brother Bob (Arlene) cousins Joe and Mary Jane Murphy cousins Paul and Betty Stitzel and many nieces and nephews. Marshall was born in the city of Colon Panama Canal Zone to his namesake U.S. Navy Physician Marshall J. Pierson M.D. and his wife Glades. He graduated from Akron Central High School in 1936 with his childhood sweetheart Mary Helen Richardson whom he married in 1942. After completing undergraduate studies at Ohio State University and Western Reserve University Dr. Pierson's academic medical training was completed in three years at Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia in 1943. His internal medicine residency was completed nine months later at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit Michigan. In 1944 Dr. Pierson enlisted in the U.S. Army Medical Corps and served as Chief of Outpatient Services and Chief of Physical Therapy and Headquarters Staff at Rhoads U.S. Army Orthopedic Hospital in Utica New York. His citations include the Meritorious Service Unit Plaque and the American Campaign Medal. After his honorable discharge in 1946 Dr. Pierson began his career in family medicine in Downingtown Pennsylvania. In 1947 Dr. and Mrs. Pierson returned to their home base of Akron Ohio and he began his Family and Allergy Practice in Cuyahoga Falls. Dr. Pierson retired from private practice in 1996. He was an exemplary husband father and physician who left a lasting legacy to all who knew him. Dr. Pierson was especially proud to have served Saint Thomas Hospital from 1947 through 1996. During his tenure he served as Chair of the Outpatient Department Committee for more than 20 years. He authored and instituted the first board approved 'General Practice' two-year residency in 1950 and the subsequent three-year 'Family Practice' residency in 1959. In 1968 he represented Saint Thomas as a member of the NEOUCOM Faculty Formation Committee. In 1970 he began a 25 year term as Clinical Instructor in Family Practice for NEOUCOM. In 1988 and 1990 he received the Distinguished Physician Award Family Practice. He also served as Pharmacology Instructor; Trustee for the School of Nursing; Chief of Family Practice Division; and Vice President of Medical Staff. Dr. Pierson's medical career was first influenced by his great grandmother Mary Wright Pierson who received her medical degree from the New England Female Medical College in 1856. But his primary inspiration was his father the U.S. Navy Physician who became the first Ear Nose and Throat Specialist in Akron. In his mid teens Marshall first participated in the family tradition of medical service by driving his seriously ill father on house calls and assisting him in surgery. Continuing that tradition Dr. Pierson inspired his daughter Susan grandson Joseph and granddaughter Elizabeth to follow in these footsteps. Calling hours will be on Thursday March 3 2011 from 4 - 8 PM at Hummel Funeral Home 500 East Exchange Street Akron Ohio 44304. Family friends and colleagues are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial at 12 NOON on Friday March 4 2011 at Holy Family Church 3179 Kent Road Stow Ohio 44224. Internment will immediately follow at Chestnut Hill Cemetery in Cuyahoga Falls Ohio. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Summa Foundation Saint Thomas Hospital Family Practice Clinic 525 E. Market St. Akron Ohio 44304.