Carl William Pierce, M.D., Ph.D, 84, of Hermann, passed away Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis.
He was born Oct. 2, 1939, the son of the late Wright William and Dorothea (Fuerch) Pierce in Buffalo, N.Y. He was also preceded in death by brother, Bill.
He is survived by wife, Paula. They were united in marriage June 11, 1992, in Amarillo, Texas. He is also survived by stepdaughter, Jennifer (Timothy) Besancenez and three step-grandchildren, Reese, Lynnlee and Rylee, all of Pacific.
Carl graduated from Barker Central School, Barker, N.Y. in 1957 and was valedictorian. He received a bachelor of arts degree from Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y. in 1962, and a doctor of medicine and doctor of philosophy from the University of Chicago in 1966.
He served his internship in pathology at the University of Colorado, Denver from 1966–67; served as a Research Associate at the National Institute of Health, Bethesda, Md. 1967–70; Assistant Professor of Pathology at Harvard Medical School, Boston 1970–76 and Associate Professor 1973–76. As his resume advanced he served as Pathologist-in-Chief at Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, 1976–87, Professor of Pathology and Microbiology-Immunology at Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis 1976–91, Director of Cellular and Molecular Immunology at Harrington Cancer Center, Amarillo, Texas from 1991–97. He was a member of the immunobiology study section with the National Institute of Health/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases from 1976–80; member of the study section with the American Cancer Society 1984-1988; member of Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation Research Committee with the NIH/NIAID from 1985–89, Chairman of Allergy and Clinical Immunology subcommittee from 1987–89; and member of the Executive Committee Coalition for Education in the Life Sciences 1991–94. He was also a member of the National Board of Medical Examiners.
Carl has been listed as a noteworthy immunologist, pathologist and educator by Marquis Who’s Who. He received the Outstanding Investigator award in 1979 from the American Society for Investigative Pathology and the Parke-Davis award in 1979 for meritorious work in experimental pathology. He was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa in 1962 at Colgate University and Alpha Omega Alpha in 1964 at the University of Chicago. During his career he had over 250 medical research publications.
During his retirement in Hermann, Carl served several times on the Gasconade County R-1 School District Board of Directors, the Hermann Area District Hospital Board of Directors. He was co-chair for the Hermann Relay for Life (American Cancer Society) 2000–05. Carl co-founded the Hermann Area Crusade Against Cancer in 2005, along with his wife, Paula, and continued to serve on the Board of Directors and Planning Committee until his death. Carl, along with Steve Mueller and the late Gerald Engemann co-founded the Community Foundation of the Hermann Area.
Carl was a fan of the Buffalo Bills football team and the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. He enjoyed gardening, reading, playing bridge at the Messmer center and other card games with friends and family.
Carl was surgeon with the U.S. Public Health Service and Commander with the U.S. Coast Guard from 1967–70.
Visitation will be Sunday, Feb. 18, from 2–5 p.m. at Toedtmann & Grosse Funeral Home, Hermann, where funeral services will be Monday, Feb. 19, at 11 a.m., with Father Bill Debo and Pastor Billy Brison officiating.
Burial will be at Oak Haven Memorial Gardens, Hermann. Memorials can be made to the Hermann Area Crusade Against Cancer.
