Robert Dean Pearce and Myrna Lee Sansregret Pearce
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of:
Robert Dean Pearce
August 17th, 1929-October 10th, 2021 and Myrna
Lee Sansregret Pearce
April 5th-September 21st, 2020
Myrna was born April 5th,1929 in Bellingham, Washington to Arnold Medard Sansregret and Fannie Van Cruyningen Sansregret. Myrna grew up in a humble, loving, and stable home along with her two sisters and brother. As a young child Myrna contracted Tuberculosis and her chances for survival were in question. Although money was scarce, her parents traveled to Seattle and bought her clothes they couldn’t afford to try and comfort her. Myrna missed a year of school but slowly recovered and her life went on. She worked as a young girl in packing houses and picked strawberries in the fields to make money for the family. Myrna had a calm peaceful presence about her. She always seemed wise beyond her years. After graduating from Bellingham High School, Myrna worked and studied at St Joseph’s Hospital and graduated from nursing school in1950. Not long afterward, Myrna along with her sister Carol moved down to Pacific Beach, CA where Myrna worked as a nurse in the emergency room at a local hospital. It was there in Pacific Beach that her life would change forever.
Bob was born August 17th,1929 in Idaho Falls, Idaho to William Ellis Pearce and Birdie Dorothy Baker Pearce. Unlike Myrna’s upbringing, Bob’s childhood was like something out of a Tom Sawyer novel. He and his little brother’s lives were wild, carefree and full of adventure. Bob was the epitome of an optimist and always saw the good in everyone and everything. With Bob the glass was always half full. As a child, Bob got a horse and was so excited to be able to ride Dempsey (named after the famous boxer) to the one room school house like all the other kids. So excited that he would walk two miles to get his horse, only to ride back in the opposite direction to school. Bob went to six different elementary schools growing up and spent days on trains where his grandparents worked as cooks. He would later describe how he was handed off the train like a bag of mail to his parents without the train even stopping. His childhood would become a great resource for his incredible storytelling later in life. Bob lettered in three sports in high school and was active in the Thespian club, performing in many plays. After graduating from Ontario High School in Oregon Bob worked at his step father’s John Deere store. Eventually he joined the Air Force, specializing in radio communication. He was stationed on Mount Laguna outside of Pacific Beach. It was there that his life would change forever.
One evening Bob went on a blind date with Myrna’s sister Carol, but when sparks didn’t fly Myrna bribed her sister with the promise of a cashmere sweater if she could go on a date with “Bobby”. Well, they hit it off and started dating. They went back up to Bellingham where they were married in 1954 before returning to Mount Laguna. Soon after, their first child was born. Eventually the young couple moved back up to Bellingham, Washington. Myrna worked as a maternity nurse at St Joseph’s Hospital and Bob, after discharging from the Air Force, went to Western Washington University where he earned a degree in education and started his teaching career. By 1961 Bob and Myrna had three young children when Bob received a letter from Ian Crow who was the superintendent of the Goleta Union School District in California offering him a teaching position. So they packed up the kids in the station wagon and moved down to a small little town called Goleta. It was there that they set down roots and raised their family. Bob taught 6th grade at Cathedral Oaks Elementary and drove the school bus after school to make extra money. Myrna spent very busy days raising the kids, gardening, cooking, cleaning, and shuttling the kids in her station wagon. Bob eventually became the first Principal of Foothill Elementary. He would eventually work at Kellogg and Ellwood Schools where he eventually retired after 30 years. His passion for his profession and his love for his students and teachers won him the respect and love from all who knew him. Some students kept in touch for the next 50 years. As their kids got older Myrna went back to school and studied sign language and started teaching hearing impaired students throughout the Goleta Union School District. She loved her work and the students she taught and she too stayed in contact for years with many of them.
In retirement, Bob and Myrna sold their house in Goleta, California and moved to Escondido California to be closer to their daughter and son-in-law. Bob played racquetball and rekindled his passion for golf. Myrna stayed very busy hosting gatherings, decorating the house, and enjoying her favorite sport, shopping! She was a great listener and everyone came to her for advice and guidance. She was very witty and had a dry sense of humor and was ruthless when playing Mexican Train! Bob was a great storyteller and could keep friends and family on the edge of their seats for hours telling stories of his life as a child. Family meant everything to Bob and Myrna and as their kids grew up and started families of their own they became incredible grandparents. Taking the grandkids to Disneyland, San Diego Wild Animal Park, arcades and hosting sleepovers. The holidays were always special at their house with Myrna decorating and cooking up a storm and Bob making his famous pumpkin cheesecakes. For their 50th wedding anniversary they took the entire family on a Mexico cruise to celebrate their love for each other. In the end they were married for 66 years.
Myrna passed away peacefully on September 21st, 2020 at the age of 91 surrounded by family following a brief illness. Bob passed away on October 10th, 2021 at the age of 92. They leave behind their three children, Greg lives in Mexico, Gary and daughter-in- law Shannon live in Redmond, Oregon, and Lindy and son-in-law Steve Gastelo live in Escondido, California. They also leave behind three grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.
Bob and Myrna’s legacy lives on through their love and care for family, friends, their students, and through their care and concern for children everywhere. Their passing leaves a void that can’t be filled but we will cherish the incredible memories and valuable life lessons they shared: the importance of family, humor, community, and love and respect for others. Bob and Myrna’s values were the bedrock upon which their family was raised. It’s been said that what matters most isn’t the date you were born or the date you left this earth, but the dash in between. For Bob and Myrna it was a dash well lived.