Obituary of Frank A. Piersol

Frank A. Piersol, 98, longtime resident of Iowa City died Friday, February 19, 2010, at Legacy Gardens in Iowa City. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, February 25, 2010, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City with the Reverend Paul Akin officiating. Private family graveside services will be held at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Iowa City. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in his memory to the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Frank was born October 27, 1911, in Clarkfield, MN, the son of George and Jessie (Peterson) Piersol. He graduated from Rockwell High School, Rockwell, Iowa; Grinnell College in 1933 and later received his Master’s from the University of Iowa in 1943. Frank began his long and distinguished career in music as band director at high schools in Stanley, Maynard, Osage, and Waterloo West before joining the faculty at Iowa State University in 1944. Professor Piersol was the director of bands at ISU until accepting the same position at the University of Iowa in 1967. After retiring from the University of Iowa in 1980, Professor Piersol continued to serve as Band Director of the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band, a position he held for 22 years from 1971 to 1993. Frank had a very long and notable career of accomplishments and recognitions, including The Cardinal Key from ISU, The Distinguished Service award from the Iowa Music Educators Association, The Edwin Franko Goldman Award from the American School Band Directors Association, The Karl King Distinguished Service Award from the Iowa Bandmasters Association and The National Federation Interscholastic Music Association Award. He has served as president of the College Band Directors National Association, the Iowa Bandmasters Association, and the Iowa Music Educators Association. In 1958 he was selected for membership in the American Bandmasters Association and has served on its Board of Directors. Frank has been a guest conductor, lecturer and judge for festivals, contests, and music camps in 40 states, Europe, Canada, and Mexico, and has published over 90 works of music and a series of concert marches. He was a longtime member of the Iowa City Noon Rotary Club, serving for years as song leader and a term as president. On June 22, 1935, Frank was united in marriage to Zaida Mae Kernahan, in Mt. Vernon, Iowa. The couple shared over sixty years of marriage. His family includes his two sons and their wives, Jon and Melissa Piersol of Pittsburg, PA; Jim and Nancy Piersol of Williamsburg; grandchildren, Kara Beck (Andy) of Lakewood, CO; Betsy Piersol (Sri Vemuri) of Richmond, VA; Amy Piersol of Decatur, GA; Michael Piersol (Michelle) of Crofton, MD; Dave Piersol of Las Vegas, NV; Lynn Piersol of Las Vegas, NV; four great-grandchildren, Drew and Ella Beck, and Hannah and Andrew Piersol; and a host of friends, including a special companion, Connie Dautremont of Iowa City. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and two brothers, John and George Piersol.