In Memory Of Paul J. Pearson

“… we don’t have boundaries here.  Prospect is simply a concentration, and, if you go away, it dissipates.”  Paul J. Pearson

On September 21, 2012, the town of Prospect lost one of its most prominent citizens and supporters, Paul J. Pearson.  He was born in 1921 and lived most of his life in Prospect until his recent death at the age of 90.

My last post dealt with Pearsoney Falls and he was one of the discoverers.  He retained a lifelong affection for Mill Creek and the nearby Rogue River.  In fact, when I was Director of Medford Education International, he gave a lecture on the Rogue River and its habitat.

I first met Paul in 1987 when I started interviewing people for my Prospect book.  My friend Evelyn Ditsworth Walls had supplied me with a list of names of people, who she thought would be excellent sources of information for my history.  Paul’s name was the first on the list.  When I drove to his home on Mill Creek Drive, I was accompanied by my friend, Hollywood architect, Michael J. Evans.  When we entered Paul’s driveway, I took out my camera and tape recorder and then I heard a yell:   “You can just put that camera right back in the car.  I don’t allow pictures.”  And there are no pictures of Paul in my Prospect book.  Despite an inauspicious beginning, we had a pleasant conversation about Prospect’s history and its inhabitants.  However, his keen, analytical mind displayed itself from the start.

RW:  But your main interest is engineering?

PP:  Well, you have to categorize that.  If you’re asking in terms of what is my approach to the physical world around me, engineering is a very important part of it.  But if you ask what’s my sense of social values, well, engineering has no place at all.  So, that’s why I say the question has to be categorized to be answerable.”

Wittgenstein would have been pleased.  Paul always chose his words carefully, taking time to present his ideas.  When I turned off the tape recorder, Paul felt more relaxed.  We spoke about our mutual respect for the Rogue River, and the fact that we we both opposed the Lost Creek Dam, which flooded the Laurelhurst area.  We also shared an interest in classical music, and a thirst for knowledge.

I liked Paul and respected him.  He was a main contributor to the growth of Prospect and will be missed.