Phillip Theodore Pearson was born on November 21, 1932 in Story County, Iowa. He received his D.V.M. (1956) and Ph.D. (1962) from Iowa State University.



After receiving his D.V.M., Pearson interned at the Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts (1956-1957). He returned to Iowa State University in 1957 as an instructor in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, and later became an assistant professor (1960) and an associate professor (1963). In 1964, Pearson left Iowa State to go to the University of Missouri as Professor and Assistant Director of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery. After only a year, he returned to Iowa State University as Professor of Veterinary Clinical Sciences. In 1972, he was appointed Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, a position he held for seventeen years. He stepped down as dean in 1989, to resume teaching. Phillip T. Pearson retired from Iowa State University and became Professor Emeritus in 1996.



Pearson belongs to several professional organizations and honor societies, such as the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, the American Society for Artificial Internal Organs, Phi Zeta, and Alpha Zeta. He also received awards for his outstanding service to veterinary medicine and teaching, including the Riser Small Animal Award, Outstanding Teacher Award at Iowa State University, and the Gaines Award and Medal.