We are all saddened to hear of Frank Piersol’s death on February 19, 2010. His long career and his jovial personality had a profound effect on so many band students throughout our state for decades. A full obituary for Frank will be in the Iowa City paper tomorrow, here is information that appeared in two articles today:

Frank Piersol earned his music degrees at Grinnell College and the University of Iowa. He was a high school band director at West Waterloo High and Osage High before moving on to the college level. He served as director of the Iowa State University Band for 19 years and director of the University of Iowa band for 13 years. He retired from the University of Iowa in 1980 and served as director of the Cedar Rapids Municipal Band from 1971 to 1993.

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 at www.gayandciha.com.