From Gary Peirce

Robert B. Peirce, of Dedham, passed away Saturday, October 1st, after a 6 year battle with prostate cancer. He fought with strength, hope, and grace. He was surrounded by his many family and loved ones at the time of his passing.

Bob was born in 1939 in Upper Darby, PA. He graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in electrical engineering. He later went on to do post-graduate studies at Queens University in Canada and Northeastern University. Bob spent his career in television and post production here in the Boston area, including positions as Director of Engineering for E.E.N. and co-founder of Pisces Productions.

Bob was an avid outdoorsman, pursuing his passions for rock and tree climbing, sea kayaking, bicycling, hiking, and cross-country skiing. Bob also enjoyed putting his MacGyver-like skills to work building furniture and doing home repairs. But, above all, Bob was happiest spending time with his beloved wife Angela Kane, his children Robert Peirce and wife Liz, Garry Peirce and wife Brenda, daughter Lisa (Peirce) Boyle and husband John, stepchildren Bernadette (Kane) Goudreault, John Kane and wife Kristin, Rich Kane, Linda (Kane) Maerov and husband Jeff, and Grandchildren Alex, Kate, Jenna, Cammie, Adriana, Ben, Andrew, Haley, and Samantha.

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From the WGBH employee newsletter — 2/23/2011

Beth Deare

The WGBH community mourns the loss of A. Beth DuVal Deare, the former producer of Say Brother (now Basic Black) and several award-winning documentaries, who died Mon, 2/21, in a fire at her home in Newton.

Beth, who was battling brain cancer at the time of her death, worked on Say Brother from 1978 to 1988, and won an Emmy Award for In the Matter of Levi Heart, a documentary about a Boston Police shooting  — one of 13 Emmys and a Peabody Award she earned during her tenure at WGBH).

“WGBH is saddened by this loss. Beth was a very talented producer and someone who helped connect WGBH with others in the community,” says VP for Communications and Government Relations Jeanne Hopkins.

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Shortly after stepping up to the microphone, nearly every performer peered into the crowd, staring down at the edge of the stage. Some of them winked, others gestured with a hand or mouthed a thank-you. Jonatha Brooke expressed her gratitude quietly, as if it were a private moment.

“I love you, Dick.’’

“I love you, Jonatha,’’ came the faint response from the third row.

That would be Dick Pleasants, the beloved radio host whose 40 years on the local airwaves — first on the Cape, then at WGBH, and now at WUMB, among other stations — were being celebrated at Sanders Theatre Friday night. Seated dead center with a single crutch just in front of him (Pleasants was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2003), he was finally stepping into the spotlight that he’s shone on others for so long.

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