OBITUARY: Dr. David Michael Pearse, 66, of Satellite Beach, Passed Away Peacefully May 5

Committed and accomplished in his field of radiology, David derived a great amount of pride in his profession

BREVARD COUNTY • SATELLITE BEACH, FLORIDA – Dr. David Michael Pearse of Satellite Beach, FL, peacefully passed away at the age of 66 on May 5. David was born in Charleston, South Carolina on July 9, 1955, to George Gardner and Patricia Woolley Pearse. The eldest of four siblings, he grew up in Clarksville, Tennessee, and graduated from Clarksville High School in 1973.

He went to the University of Notre Dame with an ROTC scholarship (Class of ’77) and attended Vanderbilt medical school, earning his medical degree in 1981. He did his residency in radiology at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

Following this, David served in the Army at Fort Rucker. It was here that he married Deborah Bissell and their twin sons Michael and Matthew were born. Following his military service, David and his young family moved back to Florida where he worked for the local hospital system.

Committed and accomplished in his field of radiology, David derived a great amount of pride in his profession. Colleagues describe him as diligent, highly intelligent, and steadfast. He was notoriously stubborn but always wanted to help and aid those in need.

David enjoyed reading his self-professed “trashy sci-fi” novels which were largely based around military science fiction sprinkled with alternate and historical fiction.

He was a video and audiophile, with an impressive entertainment system and a media server packed with thousands of movies. He always enjoyed having drinks and dinner at the Yacht Club with friends and family. Most of all, David found the greatest meaning in life by taking care of his patients, family and his friends.

In October 2019, David was diagnosed with a glioblastoma. He approached his cancer diagnosis with great bravery and resolution. Always believing that one shouldn’t die before they’re dead, David made the most of his remaining years including visiting Hawaii, Seattle, spending time with his children and granddaughter, hiking the blue ridge mountains, visiting his brother in Islamorada, his mother and sister in Virginia Beach, and attending various festivals. His stoicism throughout his illness inspired us to rethink our own mortality–approaching it with less fear while enjoying the time we have now.

David is survived by his two sons, Matthew Pearse (Diana) and Michael Pearse (Johanna), his granddaughter Evelyn Pearse, his step-daughter Johanna Shute, his former spouse Michelle Shute Pearse, his brothers Stephen Pearse (Cristina) and Robert Pearse (Linda), his sister Cathryn Snyders (Glenn), and his mother Patricia Pearse.

He was preceded in death by his father George Pearse and his first wife Deborah Pearse.

There will be no funeral service. David absolutely despised them. Instead, he wished for a high-spirited party, free of mourning and solemnity.

Friends and family are invited to gather and celebrate David’s life at a private venue in the Melbourne area on the evening of June 4, 2022, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Please reach out to David’s family for more details.

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