FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, June 24, 2008
CONTACT Aubrey Streit, (785) 227-3311, ext. 8274
BETHANY CELEBRATES LIFE OF GERALD "BUD" PEARSON
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Gerald "Bud" Pearson
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LINDSBORG, Kan.— Today Bethany College celebrates the life of Gerald “Bud” Pearson, a long-time friend whose generosity and spirit will live on in Bethany’s forthcoming Bud Pearson Swedish Chapel and Welcome Center.
Bud Pearson passed away on June 23, 2008, in Okoboji, Iowa, on the eve of his 83rd birthday.
“Today Bethany lost a special friend and benefactor. Bud's life and values will continue to live at Bethany through the Pearson Distinguished Professor of Swedish Studies program and the Bud Pearson Swedish Chapel. May God bless Bud and his family as Bud blessed so many during his life,” said Bethany College President Edward F. Leonard III.
Although he never attended college himself, and was not Lutheran, Pearson’s dedication and generosity demonstrated his commitment to the mission of Bethany College and his appreciation of its Swedish-American, Lutheran heritage.
In November 2007, Pearson and his wife Beverly made a $1 million challenge grant towards the construction of a new chapel and welcome center at Bethany.
At that time, Pearson shared the following in an email to the community: “Dear Bethany and Lindsborg, I fell in love with you both over 20 years ago. There were dark times and bright times. I believe you are now in the brightest times I have seen and the best of all is on the way.”
“We, in turn, fell in love with Bud,” said Campus Pastor Noni Strand. “Bud’s commitment and generosity to Bethany were beyond compare. His faithfulness and quiet humility were a constant source of inspiration to us. He always believed in Bethany and her mission. I feel so honored that he was my friend. Bud did so much for Bethany, both as an institution and for many individuals on campus, and his legacy will continue to enrich the life and spirit of our community for generations to come.”
Career achievements
Originally from Minnesota, Pearson returned home after serving in the U.S. Navy and in 1952 founded Spencer Foods, Inc., a beef-packing company in Spencer, Iowa. He led the company into the position of the third-largest packer in the United States and a ranking on Fortune magazine’s prestigious list of the country’s 500 largest industrial companies.
Among other ventures, Pearson held leadership roles with Beef Specialists of Iowa and Spencer (Iowa) State Bank. An accomplished golfer, he formed World Champions of Golf in 1998, and was director and shareholder of Langert Golf Company, a manufacturer of metal woods for the golf industry.
Pearson also had a deep interest in and appreciation for art. He established the Pearson Art Foundation and was an avid collector of paintings.
Bethany ties
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Gerald "Bud" Pearson with President Formo
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Bud Pearson’s connection to Bethany College grew out of his service on the Royal Round Table of the Swedish Council of America. He visited campus during a meeting of the council, and was close to fellow council member Edward (Ed) Lindell. The two first met in 1978, when Lindell was president of fellow Swedish-Lutheran institution Gustavus Adolphus College. They later served concurrently on the Bethany College Board of Directors. “Bud was a loyal, faithful friend,” said Ed Lindell. “He was a driven individual, who had a smile on his face. He looked at things positively and took things seriously.”
"Bud Pearson," he said, “brought out the best in everyone.”
Pearson also had a strong relationship with Bethany College Professor Emeritus of Art Ray Kahmeyer, who passed away in 2007. While on the Swedish Council’s round table, Pearson traveled to Lindsborg several times, including a trip to Svensk Hyllningsfest, and met Kahmeyer, who assisted him in starting an art center in Okoboji, Iowa.
Pearson served on the Bethany College Board of Directors from 1989-1993 and 1994-2000; he was instrumental in the establishment of the President’s Advisory Council, and served on it as Honorary Chair from its beginning in 2002 to the present.
Gifts to the college
“Because I was very fortunate, and very lucky, I feel a need to share that good fortune,” Bud Pearson once said, explaining his desire to give.
Pearson has been extremely generous to Bethany College over the years, and it is impossible to list all of his gifts. He has funded the creation of a recruitment video, annual scholarships, and a master plan for campus. He has donated art to the college’s collection, including a Frederick J. Brown portrait of Martin Luther. He has supported students, staff and faculty through gifts to the annual fund, and through the relationships he has formed with them. At least two Bethany professors have taught at the Lakes Art Center in Okoboji, Iowa, with the help of his support.
“I had the privilege to teach five summers at the Lakes Art Center. During these summer trips to Iowa with my family and former students we were housed by the Mendenhall’s and treated to visits at Bud and Bev’s home. These were some of the best summer vacations for our family and wonderful teaching experiences for me. The expanded Pearson Lakes Art Center is a fabulous facility with beautiful exhibition and classroom spaces making it the finest in the region,” said Bethany Professor of Art Caroline Kahler.
The Pearson Distinguished Professor of Swedish Studies
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"Bud" Pearson, Pearson Professors, and guests
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In 1994, he established the Bethany College Pearson Lectureship and Endowed Chair in Swedish Studies, now known as the Pearson Distinguished Professor of Swedish Studies program. The professorship is endowed at the one-half million dollar level. In establishing the endowment, Pearson said that its creation “is really a tribute to my grandparents, who immigrated from Sweden, my father and mother and, most of all, my Aunt Sophie and Uncle Eph.”
After the death of his mother, Pearson’s aunt and uncle took him in and made many sacrifices on his behalf, including mortgaging the farm to keep Pearson and his brother in business.
Of his uncle Eph, Pearson said, “He was proud to be a Swede and had all the virtues of the Swedish immigrants – faith, a willingness to work hard, and a readiness to endure hardship for a better future. It is these characteristics that I hope the endowed chair will hold up, examine, interpret, and value.”
The program has been influential for both Sweden and America, bringing ten prominent Swedish citizens to Lindsborg. As Bethany’s most recent Pearson Professor, Hans Ucko, shared after his visit last fall, “The Pearson Professorship has made a relationship real and relevant.”
