Richard Pearson
Founder

A Legacy of Engineering Excellence

Dick Pearson, P.E. dedicated his life to the field of engineering as an ASHRAE Fellow and founder of Pearson Engineering.

Education and Early Career

Growing up in Madison, Wisconsin, Dick attended local schools and was part of the 1956 championship track team at Madison West High. Financed by a Navy NROTC scholarship, he enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering and Naval Science. In college, he met the love of his life, Merry Noel, at the Memorial Union. After graduating in 1961, he served in the Navy from 1961 to 1964, notably as Engineering Officer aboard the USS Holmes County, LST 836, which earned the RED “E” for engineering excellence. In 1962, during his active-duty, Dick and Noel began their 61-year marriage.

Before establishing Pearson Engineering, Dick gained valuable experience as a sales engineer at the Trane Company from 1964 to 1969 and as a partner at Heapy Engineering in Dayton, OH, until 1986. In 1986, Dick moved back to his boyhood home in Madison to establish his own consulting firm.

Pearson Engineering and Contributions to HVAC

As an independent consultant, Dick provided analysis and problem-solving engineering services for HVAC systems throughout the Midwest. His client list included Delta Queen Steamboat Company, Equity Residential Properties, Golub & Company, American Family Insurance Company, American Hawaii Cruises, and many more. His work spanned diverse projects, from optimizing large facilities to improving dehumidification and energy analysis. Much of Dick’s career was spent in hands-on analysis of the actual operation of HVAC systems.

Dick was a licensed engineer in twelve states and held affiliations with ASHRAE, NSPE, AEE, ASHE, WHEA, and IFMA. As an active ASHRAE member, he was awarded the membership grade of Fellow for his pioneering work with building automation systems and received the Distinguished Service Award.

ASHRAE and Industry Involvement

A prominent figure in ASHRAE, Dick Pearson contributed significantly to the organization. He was:

• Chairman of the Energy Management Committee
• Served on the Board of Directors
• Served on the Finance, Professional Development, TC 7.6, and Environmental Health committees, and the Technology Council
• An ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer, presenting on energy management
• A principal contributor to “Procedures for Commercial Building Energy Audits” and a contributor to the Energy Use and Management Chapter in the ASHRAE Handbook

Additionally, Dick was a member of the National Register of Peer Professionals, selected by the Chief Architect of the General Services Administration to conduct peer reviews of GSA design projects.

Awards and Recognition

Throughout his career, Dick Pearson received numerous awards and accolades for his innovative and energy-efficient designs. His projects earned regional and national ASHRAE Energy Awards, and, in 1997, he received the University of Wisconsin College of Engineering Distinguished Service Citation.

Legacy

In 2011, Dick Pearson retired, and Pearson Engineering continued under the ownership of Brian Basken, P.E., Jeremy Bartell, P.E., and Kyle Halverson, P.E.

Dick’s passion for engineering extended beyond his professional life. He loved sailing, music, especially playing the accordion, and Badger sports. He was known for his prolific and entertaining storytelling. Dick was dedicated to his wife, Noel, and two children, Cathy and Rick, and was fiercely proud of his granddaughter, Nadia.

Richard J. Pearson’s legacy lives on through the countless projects he contributed to, the organizations he served, and the many individuals he mentored. His contributions to the field of HVAC engineering and his commitment to energy efficiency will continue to inspire future generations.