Pierce, Felix John

Dr. Felix John Pierce, “Papa”, 90, of Blacksburg, Va., passed away peacefully in his home on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, surrounded by his loving family and dedicated caregivers.

Felix was a graduate of University of Rhode Island, and Cornell University. A gifted professor, mentor, and researcher, he shared his talents with the community and as a professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Virginia Tech. Felix was a university educator for 40 years, and his research resulted in more than 50 publications and a textbook on thermodynamics. He will always be cherished as a loving, patient spouse, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend.

In addition to his parents and his six brothers and sisters, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years, Sally Sutcliffe Pierce. Felix is survived by his daughter Patricia Pierce Jones, daughter Jennifer Pierce Hody, son Dr. Christopher Pierce, as well as eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. The family will always be especially grateful for his loving and dedicated caregivers, Diana Kennedy, Tina Houston, and Kelly Apisa.

His internment will be held in a private ceremony, at St. Michael Lutheran Church in Blacksburg.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Alzheimer’s Association.