Klarinet Archive - Posting 000130.txt from 1994/06

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.EDU>
Subj: Death of Jerry Pierce
Date: Mon, 27 Jun 1994 17:36:24 -0400

Despite the fact that Jerry lived in Indiana and I live in California,
we had become very friendly over the years. He was a delightful man
and I valued his friendship.

Jerry was one of the last students of Bonade and we spoke about that
great player after I had been in France on business and saw Bonade on
the streets of Nice. I went up to him and had a lovely conversation
about things clarinetish and he enjoyed speaking English again. I kept
trying to speak in French to him, but he constantly steered the
conversation back to English because, I think, it reminded him of
his best days.

I reported that conversation to Jerry when I saw him a few months later
and he was very pleased that Bonade was enjoying a comfortable
retirement.

I heard about Jerry's cancer shortly after last summer. Our mutual
friend in Kentucky, Ron Monson, called me privately and we spoke of
the matter. Jerry had undergone surgery and the opinion of the
surgeon was not good. Ron suggested I call Jerry and I did.

He went over in great detail the results of the surgery and stated
point blank that he would be subjected to massive chemotherapy and
radiotherapy. He did not suggest a prognonsis but he was very matter
of fact about the matter of his death should the results not be
successful. He told me that, immediately after his recuperation,
he intended to play some gigs.

I introduced Jerry to the basset horn. He had always wanted to play
one but was unable to find one that he could own, and the school where
he taught could not justify one. Finally, however, he did get an
instrument. And I would be bombarded with letters asking about this or
that piece until finally, the tables turned and he knew more about the
basset horn and its literature than I did.

Jerry was a good sport, an invariably positive man, and a good clarinet
player. I shall miss his charming conversations.

When we spoke last, I told him that I intended to drive from NY to Cali-
fornia and that, on the way, I would drop by and he could fix liverwurst
sandwiches for us. Sadly, that will not happen now.

Jerry was president of the clarinet society for a number of years.

RIP Jerry Pierce. What can one say? He was a clarinet play, and that
is enough for anyone.

====================================
Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California
(leeson@-----.edu)
====================================

   
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