Richard G. Pearce

Richard Pearce, known fondly by his family and friends as Dick, passed away Sunday, March 20, 2022 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Sue Pearce, of 37 years, his sons: Douglas (Jody) Pearce and Stephen (Natalya) Pearce, his granddaughter, Casey, his grandsons, Michael (Betsy), Christopher (Rachel), and Matthew (Annabelle), his brother, Joseph (Donna) Pearce and sisters, Kathy Pearce, Sharel (Richard) Wallace, and many loving nieces, nephews, and close friends.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents LeRoy and Lucille Pearce, and his sister Mary Pearce, and brother David Pearce.

Dick was born December 9, 1943 in St. Louis, Missouri, to LeRoy and Lucille (Skaggs) Pearce. After graduating from St. Louis University, Dick pursued a career in golf. He was the Director of Golf and Head Golf Professional in Westfield, New Jersey at Echo Lake Country Club. In 1983, after relocating to Florida, he was the first Director of Golf at St. Andrews Country Club of Boca Raton. In 1972, Dick won the New Jersey PGA Championship by 8 shots which qualified him for entry into the 1973 PGA Championship held at Canterbury Golf Club in Cleveland, Ohio. Before turning professional, Dick qualified for the US Amateur in 1967 at the Broadmoor in Colorado. Then again in 1994 at the age of 50, after his professional career, he was the oldest qualifier for the US Amateur at TPC Sawgrass. He then went into the restaurant business with his wife, Susie.

Dick and Susie opened the Seaside Café in Lauderdale by the Sea, and then went on to own and operate two Wings and Things, one in Wilton Manors and the other in Pompano Beach. Dick finished up his food establishment business with Joe’s Café, in Fort Lauderdale, with his son Steve.

In his free time, Dick could always be found on the golf course. He loved his golf games with buddies at the clubs he belonged to starting with Ft. Lauderdale CC, Woodlands CC, Pine Tree in Boynton Beach while in Florida, and Cullasaja in Highlands, NC, where he and Sue lived during the summer months for 22 years. As his friends well know, Dick loved to laugh, tease, joke, and was famous for his wit and for over-decorating for Christmas and other holidays.

His passion for rescuing animals benefited many abandoned and neglected furry friends. He was often seen with his current rescue dog in his golf cart or his Corvette.

Those desiring may consider memorial contributions in Dick’s memory to Abandoned Pet Rescue of Ft. Lauderdale or Beyond Nine Cat Rescue in Oakland Park.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at https://WWW.BROWARDBURIAL.COM for the PEARCE family.