Chester Pearlman

Chester Pearlman passed away on June 4, 2024, preceded in death by Edith, wife of 55 years. Father of Jessica Pearlman (Greenfield, MA) and Charles Pearlman (Brookline, MA), father in law to Naomi Pearlman (Brookline, MA) and grandfather to Joseph Pearlman (Brookline, MA).

Born on January 8, 1934, to Jeanette and Chester Pearlman, Chester grew up as an only child in Buffalo, NY. He graduated in 1951 from Exeter Academy in NH, where he was on the wrestling team. Subsequently, he attended Harvard University, graduating in 1955 with a degree in Social Relations. He received his MD Albert Einstein Medical School in 1961, after an additional 2 year research fellowship in pharmacology. After completing his internship and residency in psychiatry, Chester joined the staff of the VA Medical Center in Jamaica Plain, MA where he would remain until 1999.

He married Edith in 1967, shortly after he was drafted into the Navy, serving as a psychiatrist at the Naval Submarine Base in Groton, CT. After his two year service was complete, Chester and Edith moved to Brookline, MA and Chester returned to the VA. Edith and Chester remained active citizens of Brookline for the remainder of their lives. While working at the VA, and holding a small private psychiatric practice out of his home, Chester entered into sleep and dream research, which remained a passion throughout his professional life. He also conducted psychopharmacological research which helped lead to the development of several pharmaceutical products that are still used today to treat sleep conditions.

Chester was always a dedicated husband and father. He loved spending time talking with his children, engaging in athletic activities and building items with them in his basement woodshop. He was also a squash player into his 60s and became an avid runner in his 40's. Chester's other passion was music - in particular early Baroque - which led to his active involvement in the Viola de Gamba society and his passionate lifelong pursuit of mastering the Viol. He would spend many hours practicing during his free time, filling the house with the pleasant sounds of his viol practice.

Chester always enjoyed travel and would bring the family on an almost annual summer pilgrimage to Brewster, Cape Cod as well as multiple trips to Europe. In particular Chester enjoyed visiting Paris - to experience the Parisian culture and utilize his French language skills. Later in life, He and Edith studied Japanese and traveled together to Chiba, Japan, to meet their then one-year-old grandson.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations for student scholarships to the Longy School of Music in Cambridge, MA.