Community Mourns the Loss of Rick Piercy, Founder of Lewis Center for Educational Research
The community of Apple Valley is grieving the loss of Rick Piercy, the founder of the Lewis Center for Educational Research and its flagship school, the Academy for Academic Excellence. Piercy, who was often referred to as a “man of faith” and a “visionary leader,” passed away on July 8 after battling pancreatic cancer.
Piercy, 71, was a pillar in the community and played a crucial role in establishing the Lewis Center and the Academy for Academic Excellence. According to Lisa Lamb, President/CEO of the Lewis Center, Piercy’s integrity and wisdom helped lay the foundation for the organization and inspired countless individuals in the High Desert and beyond.
Despite his diagnosis, Piercy remained actively involved in the Lewis Center’s activities as much as his health allowed. He expressed pride in the staff’s work and continued to visit and participate in various events. Lamb expressed her gratitude for being a part of the Lewis Center family and vowed to carry on Piercy’s legacy, which has already impacted thousands of students, staff, and community members.
Piercy leaves behind his wife of nearly 51 years, Linda Piercy, two daughters, Carrie Sellers and Mandy Moler, and six grandchildren. A memorial service for Piercy is currently being planned.
Piercy’s vision for the Lewis Center and the Academy for Academic Excellence began to take shape in 1990 when he raised $1.2 million to open an observatory at the center’s original Thunderbird Road site. This observatory, which is still operational today, was followed by the opening of the Apple Valley Science and Technology Center in 1997.
Piercy’s dedication to utilizing NASA’s mission and programs in education was recognized in 1998 when he received a NASA Public Service Medal from NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin. Piercy’s work allowed students at the Academy for Academic Excellence to work with NASA scientists through programs like the Goldstone Apple Valley Radio Telescope (GAVRT) program and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
In his final commencement ceremony in 2014, Piercy addressed the graduating class of the Academy for Academic Excellence, urging them to use their lives to make a positive impact on the world. He emphasized the importance of faith, hope, and love, and gave each graduate a copy of the book “The Butterfly Effect: How Your Life Matters.”
Piercy’s passion for education and his desire to empower teachers and parents were evident throughout his career. He believed in transforming the traditional school model into one that prepares students for the demands of the 21st century and promotes high standards of character and patriotism.
Aside from his contributions to education, Piercy had a personal connection to the Apple Valley community. He met his childhood heroes, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, at Church of the Valley in Apple Valley and later became active members of the church. Piercy also credited his grandfather, Elmer Piercy, as his role model and credited his values to his maternal grandparents.
The loss of Rick Piercy is deeply felt by the Apple Valley community, but his legacy will continue to impact generations to come. His dedication to education and his vision for a better future will be remembered and carried on by those who knew him.Community Mourns the Loss of Rick Piercy, Founder of Lewis Center for Educational Research and Academy for Academic Excellence
The community of Apple Valley is grieving the loss of Rick Piercy, the founder of the Lewis Center for Educational Research and its flagship school, the Academy for Academic Excellence. Piercy, who was often referred to as a “man of faith” and a “visionary leader,” passed away on July 8 at the age of 71 after battling pancreatic cancer.
Lisa Lamb, President/CEO of the Lewis Center, described Piercy as a pillar of the community and a true leader. She praised his integrity and wisdom, which played a crucial role in establishing the foundation of the Lewis Center and inspiring countless individuals in the High Desert and across the nation.
Despite his diagnosis, Piercy remained actively involved in the Lewis Center’s activities as much as his health allowed. He expressed pride in the staff’s ongoing work and continued to visit and participate in various events. Lamb expressed her gratitude for being part of the Lewis Center family and vowed to carry on Piercy’s legacy, which has already impacted thousands of students, staff, and community members.
Piercy leaves behind his wife of nearly 51 years, Linda Piercy, two daughters, Carrie Sellers and Mandy Moler, and six grandchildren. A memorial service for Piercy is currently being planned.
Piercy’s impact on education in the Apple Valley community is immeasurable. He played a pivotal role in the establishment of the nonprofit Lewis Center and the Academy for Academic Excellence. Starting as a kindergarten teacher at Mojave Mesa Elementary School, Piercy raised funds to open a science and technology center. His efforts led to the opening of the Apple Valley Science and Technology Center in 1990, which included an observatory that is still operational today.
In 1997, Piercy’s vision expanded with the opening of the Academy for Academic Excellence, a charter school that now offers students opportunities to work with NASA scientists through programs like the Goldstone Apple Valley Radio Telescope (GAVRT) program and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Piercy’s dedication to education and his utilization of NASA’s mission and research to support mathematics, science, and technology education earned him a NASA Public Service Medal in 1998. The GAVRT project, which allows students throughout the U.S. to operate a telescope via the internet, was a testament to Piercy’s commitment to providing unique educational experiences.
Piercy’s final commencement ceremony in 2014 was a memorable event. Addressing the graduating class of the Academy for Academic Excellence, Piercy emphasized the impact each student had already made on the world and encouraged them to continue making a difference. He stressed the importance of faith, hope, and love in leading a fulfilling life.
Beyond his contributions to education, Piercy was an active member of the community. He served on the boards of various organizations, including the Providence St. Mary Medical Center Foundation, the Town of Apple Valley’s Historical Advisory, and the Apple Valley Fire Protection District.
Piercy’s upbringing in Victorville and his encounters with Western stars Roy Rogers and Dale Evans shaped his life. Meeting his childhood heroes in Apple Valley left a lasting impression on Piercy, and he later became an active member of the Church of the Valley, where he interacted with the Rogers family regularly.
Piercy’s values were deeply rooted in his Christian faith and the influence of his grandparents. He believed in the power of hard work, forgiveness, and love as the keys to a happy and satisfying life.
Rick Piercy’s impact on education and the Apple Valley community will be remembered for years to come. His dedication, vision, and leadership have left a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire generations of students and educators.
In what ways did Rick Piercy’s passion for education extend beyond the classroom and impact the Apple Valley community
Like the Goldstone Apple Valley Radio Telescope (GAVRT) program and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Piercy’s dedication to utilizing NASA’s mission and programs in education earned him a NASA Public Service Medal in 1998. His commitment to providing students with hands-on learning experiences and preparing them for the demands of the 21st century was evident throughout his career.
In his final commencement ceremony in 2014, Piercy delivered a powerful message to the graduating class of the Academy for Academic Excellence. He encouraged them to use their lives to make a positive impact on the world and emphasized the importance of faith, hope, and love. As a parting gift, he gave each graduate a copy of the book “The Butterfly Effect: How Your Life Matters.”
Piercy’s passion for education extended beyond the classroom. He had a personal connection to the Apple Valley community, having met his childhood heroes, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, at Church of the Valley in Apple Valley. He later became an active member of the church. Piercy also credited his grandfather, Elmer Piercy, as his role model and attributed his values to his maternal grandparents.
The loss of Rick Piercy is deeply felt by the Apple Valley community. However, his legacy will continue to impact generations to come. His dedication to education, his vision for a better future, and his unwavering faith will be remembered and carried on by those who knew him.
Rick Piercy was a true visionary whose passion for education continues to inspire students and educators around the world. His dedication to creating innovative learning environments at the Lewis Center for Educational Research and Academy for Academic Excellence leaves a lasting legacy that will shape the future of education. We remember him fondly and honor his contributions to the field.