Former assistant professor Robert Pearson died Saturday.

Pearson worked at NIU from 1963 until his retirement in 1989, including in temporary and assistant professor spots in the biology department as well as NIU’s only pre-med adviser for many years. He received both the 1990 Division of Students Recognition Award as well as an honorary membership into the Northern Illinois Alumni Association. A scholarship in the biology department will be established in memory of Pearson.

A service will be held at 2:30 p.m. today at the Butala Funeral Home and Crematory, 1405 DeKalb Ave. in Sycamore. It is open to the public.