AMHERST, MA: Richard Carver Pearlstein, 87, of Amherst, died peacefully Friday morning September 13, 2024, with his family by his side.

Born June 26, 1937, in Barre, Vermont, he was the son of Vere Eric and Helene (Wheeler) Pearlstein.  After graduation from Spaulding High School in 1955, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served from 1955 – 1958.  He was stationed at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.

In 1962 he graduated from the University of Vermont in Burlington with a degree in Physics.  After a brief career in engineering, he studied at Washington University, in St. Louis, Missouri, and received his PhD in Psychology in 1969.  There he met the love of his life, Deanna Campbell.  They were married on August 17, 1968.  Always looking for adventure, they moved to the Big Island of Hawaii where they enjoyed the beautiful Island life.  They returned to the mainland in 1973.

Dick worked for the Veteran’s Administration for 37 years, beginning in Tennessee before transferring to Leeds, MA.  He worked on the Mental Hygiene Unit, the Family Therapy Unit, and others. His primary work was on the Post Traumatic Stress Unit, where he worked with a wonderful, dedicated group of people.

Dick had a keen intellect and a broad knowledge of history, language, math, and science.  He enjoyed sharing his wisdom and humor with others.

Dick loved hiking in the Green and White Mountains with his children.  He was an “End to Ender” on the Vermont Long Trail.  He grew up loving to fish for speckled trout with his father.  Later, he became an avid gardener, known for his Oriental and Asiatic lily gardens complete with a lily pond.  His Dahlia gardens were enjoyed by all.  He was a photography enthusiast.  He traveled throughout the U.S. and much of Europe.  There was a very special trip to Italy for the marriage of his eldest son.  Many more wonderful visits ensued.  There he could practice the Italian he studied in his classes at the Forbes Library.

He enjoyed taking day trips to favorite waterfalls, covered bridges, mountains views, gardens, and special places. There was always a sense of adventure and delight in finding the wonder and joy of life on the back roads. 

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Deanna, his children Gregory and wife Rosanna, and Cori.  He is mourned by his granddaughters, Arianna, Loredana, and Brice all of whom he deeply loved and was very proud.  He was loved by his brother and sisters-in-law, his many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his parents and his siblings, George and Margaret Pearlstein and Emily Arulpragasam, and Janet Erbe.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, September 20, 2024 at 12:00PM at Wildwood Cemetery in Amherst, MA.

A celebration of Life will be held on: Saturday, September 21, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. at Wesley Methodist Church, 98 North Maple Street, Hadley MA.01035

In Lieu of Flowers, Memorial Donations may be made to:

Doctors Without Borders USA P.O. Box 5030. Hagerstown, MD 21741-5030 or

The Green Mountain Club of Vermont, 4711 Waterbury-Stowe Road, Waterbury Center, Vermont 05677

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com