Pierson J. Van Alten joined his Lord and Savior on March 16, 2022, at the age of 94. An immunologist and an avid reader, Pierson was cherished for his quiet wisdom and dry humor. Although his career was in medical research and he wrote numerous academic articles, he was more than a man of science. He took joy in chasing fires with his son and discussing literature with his daughter. He served several terms as an elder on the council of Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church. His grandchildren remember his love of classical music, garden pruning, and nature-centered vacations. He strove to stay active and rode his bike through his mid 80s. Throughout his life he was accompanied by his wife of 68 years, Lu, his best friend and strongest supporter.
An Elmhurst resident for more than 60 years, Pierson was born on Feb, 21, 1928, in Grand Rapids, Mich. After graduating from Calvin College, he served in the US Army from 1951–53. He then earned his M.A. and Ph.D. from Michigan State University and completed a postdoc at UCLA. He was a professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Medicine for over 30 years. His research was at the forefront of developmental immunobiology, and he enjoyed working in the lab with his graduate students. During his tenure, he also served as a visiting professor at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis and at the University of Bern in Switzerland.
Pierson was preceded in death by his brother, Dr. Lloyd Van Alten; his parents, Daniel and Anna (née Zuidema) Van Alten; brothers-in-law, Rev. Gordon Stuit and Dr. Daniel Hendriken; and sisters-in-law, Grace Van Alten, Clare Westendorp, and Win Westendorp. He is mourned by his wife, Lucille; children, Faith and Raymond Lee, and Daniel J. and Karen Van Alten; grandchildren, Jake and Megan Van Alten; Sabrina Lee; Mary Van Alten and Sam Goldberger; Sydney Lee and Dr. Derek De Mann; and Sam Lee; great-grandchildren, Lucy and Jovie Van Alten; and Lucille’s siblings, Sylvia Stuit, Dr. Floyd Westendorp, Shirley Hendriksen, and brother-in-law Fred DeVries.
Pierson was buried in a private ceremony on Saturday, March 19. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 9 at Park Place of Elmhurst, 1050 S Euclid, Elmhurst at 10 a.m. Arrangements entrusted to Elmhurst Community Funeral Home – The Ahlgrim Chapel. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the American Cancer Society or Providence Hospice.
