VALE KENNETH (KEN) PEARSON-SMITH | 1946 – 2021
It is with great sadness that we inform the membership of the passing of Ken Pearson-Smith on 13 November 2021.
Ken was raised in Bath, England, where he developed his great love and respect for history and heritage. After emigrating to Sydney in 1966, he studied at UTS in Sydney and received his Bachelor of Architecture with First Class Honours and the Institute Medal in 1984. Ken ran his own very successful architecture practice in Sydney for almost 30 years and in the earlier years also taught at Sydney University and UTS, lecturing in architecture.
Ken and Sheila were married in 2002 and after holidaying in Tasmania in 2004, made the move interstate, living in the heritage property, the Fox Hunters’ Return in Campbell Town, and successfully running the associated accommodation and conference business.
Soon after arriving in Tasmania Ken was approached by UTAS in Launceston and invited to join their staff in a part-time position, lecturing in Architecture – Law and Contracts. His experience in both teaching and running his own practice was of great value to the University and its students. Ken very much enjoyed his years at UTAS with the students benefiting greatly from his vast knowledge and experience and he earned great respect, admiration and friendship, for his wisdom and for his joke of the day!
Ken was a very active member of the Institute both in Sydney and Tasmania, attending regular meetings and earning life-time membership. He began training as an Arbitrator and Mediator, but regrettably, in 2014, due to ill health, Ken was forced to retire completely from teaching and from practice.
Ken gave freely of himself and delighted in donating his time across many different fields which included sitting on the boards of many schools, parish councils and local council committees. He donated his time as head architect in restoring St Peter’s Anglican Church in Campbelltown, NSW; worked with disadvantaged youth in Tasmania and advised on many heritage projects in Campbell Town, Ross and Oatlands. He was a very committed member of the National Trust and became a volunteer house guide at Clarendon and Woolmers Estate.
Ken and his wife moved to Ross in 2009 and he was then transferred to Campbell Town Nursing Home in 2016. After his long battle with dementia, Ken passed away peacefully on 13 November, 2021.
‘You will be greatly missed, Ken, by so many people
whose lives are the richer for having known you’.
