Eric Allen "Rick" Pyeritz

Dr. Eric Allen (Rick) Pyeritz, age 73, passed away peacefully at his home on June 16, 2025 with his wife Linda by his side. He was born in Pittsburgh, PA on April 28, 1952 to Paul and Ida Mae Pyeritz.

Rick completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Delaware, and went on to Medical School at The University of Pittsburgh. He completed his residency in family medicine at Duke University in Durham, NC. Rick was a dedicated and beloved family medicine physician for over 30 years, until his chronic illness forced him into retirement.

In addition to medicine, Rick’s other passion was Ornithology. This presented a dilemma for young Rick as he was deciding the direction of his career. With a bottle of Boone’s Farm by his side, he contemplated his two passions. The possibility of legal ramifications if he chose medicine as a hobby led him to instead choose that path as his career.

His passion for birds persisted his whole life. The scarlet tanager was the first bird he identified in his high school biology class and remained a favorite to Rick. His accomplishments included migratory bird banding, teaching ornithology classes at UNCA, birding expeditions on five continents, and publishing multiple articles.

Rick’s love of life and living extended beyond these two passions. A devout naturalist, Rick was an excellent photographer and enjoyed capturing the beauty around him. He enjoyed countless trips to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, where surf fishing was a favorite pastime. Rick loved sports and enjoyed watching golf, tennis, football, and baseball. He stayed steadfast and true to his favorite teams- the Steelers and the Pirates- his whole life. His cache of sports trivia was incredibly impressive. Rick was intrigued by wine- its history and the creativity involved in its production. He amassed an impressive wine cellar and knowledge of wine and delighted in selecting just the right one for friends and family. Rick loved humor and was the King of Puns. He was a model train enthusiast and spent countless hours building and creating. His dedication to historical accuracy and detail was visible in his intricate artistry. Rick was a dedicated pet owner and adored the dogs that graced his life.

Most of all, Rick loved his family. And we loved him. How we will miss his warmth, knowledge, wit, and humor. Though his life extended far beyond what can be conveyed in this short summary, his brother Reed relayed it perfectly, “My Brother, Rick, died last night of Parkinson’s disease, a condition he fought for nearly three decades. His passing was peaceful, with Linda by his bed. Rick was an avid birder and environmentalist, a marathoner, an accomplished oenophile, a beloved family physician and a cherished uncle of Allyson and Abigail. He was a good doctor, a better man, and the best of brothers. May his memory be for a blessing”.

Rick leaves behind his loving wife of 31 years, Linda, his brother Reed (Jane), nieces Allyson and Abigail and their families, and many cousins and extended family members. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Nature Conservancy in Rick’s name.

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