Obituary of Sterling Lee Pierson

STERLING LEE PIERSON

May 9, 1938-September 14, 2025

Sterling Lee Pierson, 87, of Pottersville, NJ, died peacefully at home on September 14, 2025.

Mr. Pierson, known as Lee, was born in New York City on May 9, 1938. He was born to Gudrun (Berle) Pierson and Sterling Pierson of Wilton CT. He grew up in Wilton and graduated from Staples High School. After serving in the United States Marine Corps, he attended Marlboro College and was awarded a degree in Wildlife Management and Ecology, with a minor in Forestry in 1965.

On August 5, 1962, he married the love of his life, Jennifer Winston. After Lee finished college, they spent most of their life together in Pottersville. There, they raised three daughters, Sage Ives Scott and Apple Ives Hopkins (from her previous marriage) and Kristin “Kittie” Pierson.

Lee was an avid naturalist and birder. His career included being named director of the National Audubon Society center in Greenwich, CT, teaching science at Purnell School, and working for the Upper Raritan Watershed Association (now the Raritan Headwaters Association).

Lee loved to birdwatch and led many birdwatching trips throughout the United States. He identified over 600 bird species in North America and an additional 120 in the Caribbean and Europe.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Jennifer, daughter Kittie, and sisters Mimi and Sunny Pierson. Surviving members of his family include his daughters Sage Ives Scott (John) and Apple Ives Hopkins (John), his four granddaughters, his sister-in-law Deborah Winston Callard, and many nieces and nephews.

A private family service is planned for later this fall. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Raptor Trust of Millington, NJ or St Luke’s Church of Gladstone, NJ.