Al Pearson

The service will be broadcast live from the Ralph Engelstad Arena. It can be viewed by using the following code:

Visitation will be Thursday, May 11, 2023 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 PM followed by a 4:00 PM memorial service and a reception at the Ralph Engelstad Arena, Grand Forks. Please wear causal clothing, preferably something associated with UND hockey.

Gustav Allan Pearson was born September 30, 1937 and died at a fearless 85 years young on April 5, 2023.  He lived like he came into this world-ready to challenge and entertain anyone who would make eye contact. 

He was born near Thunder Bay in Beardmore, Ontario to Gustav “Gus” and Joanna Pearson.  Joanna tended to business at home raising their two sons, Allan and Gordon, while Gustav worked “in the bush” as camp foreman of a paper mill company.  Young Allan kept his mom on her toes and it wasn’t unusual for her to get a call on a hot day, “Allan is walking down the street swinging his underwear.”  She admitted tying him to a tree on a long rope in an effort to at least keep him playing in their yard. Nice try!

Al finished 10^th grade in Beardmore and graduated from high school in Port Arthur (Thunder Bay). With his family still living in Beardmore, he would turn down rides with friends as he preferred to hitch-hike home on weekends. He enjoyed meeting people and could tell his share of stories.

While working around Ontario for Bell Telephone, Al stayed close with his brother Gordon who was four years younger. When Gordon got his driver’s license, he wanted to borrow Al’s first car, a brand new black 1958 Chevy Impala with a red interior.  Thinking he was being clever, Al said, “Tell ya what-if you can get here, you can borrow it for the weekend.”  To his surprise, Gordon’s friend had an old truck, they showed up, and were just as surprised when they actually got to use his car. 

Al spent several years putting up telephone poles for Bell where he earned his nickname, Seagull-“If he ain’t s***tin’, he’s squawkin’!”  In his mid twenties, he decided to go to college.  He initially wanted to attend the University of Kentucky because of his love of horse racing and trying his hand at betting.  As luck would have it, Kentucky didn’t know how to transfer Canadian credits so he headed back to Thunder Bay. With guidance from his previous vocational school, he found himself at the University of North Dakota.  It didn’t take long to settle in and make his mark on UND and the Grand Forks community.

Al joined the Delta Mu Chapter of Kappa Sigma Fraternity where he was known as “Gus.”  He loved being a Kappa Sig and was blessed with an amazing brotherhood that sustained him his whole life. The last eight years, they helped with yard work, Christmas decorations and included him as family at holiday dinners. Al fit right in with this playfully gentle group of men.  

By the time he graduated from UND, Al made Tom Clifford’s head turn a few times, but Al’s head was turned by President Clifford’s secretary, Norma “Kay” Holte.  They dated awhile and were married on September 4, 1965.  

They enjoyed each other and would spend hours on end talking at the Highlander.  Those days were quickly replaced once children were added to the family, Bradley, Joanna and Judd. He was incredibly proud of his children and what they accomplished. Life wasn’t perfect, it was messy and crazy and the Pearson household in north Grand Forks was a busy one.  Though Al and Kay drifted apart at times, their love was evident to anyone lucky enough to witness the last few years of their 50-year marriage. Kay felt Al was her rock and Al learned the tender side of love.  

Throughout his years in Grand Forks, Al had a long career with Prudential Insurance, was active in Masons, Shriners, and Sertoma, served on the City Council, and taught at UND as well as at U of MN/Crookston.  He loved to play golf and enjoyed many fishing trips.  He became an American citizen on July 4, 1976.  Al said with pride, “I got to be a part of two of the greatest countries in the world!”

One of Al’s greatest passions was “Fighting Sioux” hockey.  Though he was born a Toronto Maples Leafs fan, UND held his heart for hockey, a passion shared with people all over the country. He was well known as the man in the White Hat. He created quite a following by organizing bus trips to away games, not only to make sure he got there, but so others could enjoy it as well. Through these trips he helped develop friendships that will last forever. Anyone who took a trip is part of a hockey family like no other. 

The games weren’t his only passion…he loved getting to know the team and followed their stats and careers over the years. Al understood the importance of a team mentality and wanted to help students financially by creating The Al Pearson and Tom Ronan White Hat Endowment. This endowment provides players the ability to stay in town to be part of team training.

Al was very proud of being named a UND Honorary Letter Winner. He was humbled and touched by “Al Pearson Recognition Night” at The Ralph Engelstad Arena. Here they announced Al’s legendary white hat would forever be displayed outside Section 106 as a way to carry on his legacy.

His second passion was also his greatest fight, Parkinson’s Disease. In over 17 years, Parkinson’s took pieces of Al’s independence a little at a time, but the disease never “won.” His tenacity allowed him to live like he didn’t have it. Al never complained or showed frustration, rather tremendous patience. It’s the same tenacity that made him a frequent flyer to the emergency room. He had over 100 stitches and 20 staples in the last 9 years and couldn’t wait to get out of the ER to show ‘em off.  

Al was committed to the YMCA’s annual “Pumpkins for Parkinson’s” fundraiser.  His charisma helped raise thousands of dollars for their programs helping those with Parkinson’s to remain as active as possible. 

Facing Parkinson’s also brought Al closer to God and strengthened his faith. His will to live was strong and he would joke about living another 10 “or maybe 15” years “just to piss off” his daughter who was his full-time caregiver. But last Christmas, he shared he didn’t think he would be around for another Frozen Four.  With his spunky desire to be right, he died the day before it began and was reunited with Kay on April 5.  He lived a big life and it ended in the middle of a snow storm.  Typical.

Al is now eating ice cream with his wife, Kay who passed away in 2016, his parents, Gustav and Joanna Pearson, so many wonderful friends and the dogs well loved over the years.

He leaves behind to celebrate his life three children, Bradley (Becki) Pearson, Brandon, MN, Joanna Pearson, Grand Forks, and Judd (Kris) Pearson, Rogers, MN and two handsome grandsons, Zach and Luke.  He was incredibly proud of these boys, loved them dearly, and would have loved more time to see them grow up (and maybe play Sioux hockey).  He will also be missed by his brother Gordon (Vivian)Pearson, Atlanta, GA, extended family members across the US and Canada, and of course, the many people he met and befriended over the years.

Al wanted people to know, “My body went to UND. My soul went up to heaven. You’ll see my hat from time to time. And when you see an unexpected goal, you’ll know that it was me.”