Maynard Pearlstine

Maynard Pearlstine, age 98, passed away on October 3, 2021 in Greenville, Delaware.

Maynard was born to Leo C Pearlstine and Sophie Weatherhorn Pearlstine in Charleston, South Carolina where he spent his early years. At age 11 he moved with his parents and younger sister Elaine to St Matthews, SC.

Maynard graduated from Clemson University with degrees in Architecture and Architectural Engineering. He received the Architect’s Medal for the class of 1943 and remained a dedicated alum throughout his life. From 1943-1946, Maynard served as Lt in the US Navy with final duty at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan. After release from active duty, he attended the University of Berkeley where he completed an MA in Architecture.

After his return to South Carolina, Maynard practiced architecture for the firm of Lyles, Bisset, Carlyle, and Wolfe, and, later, partnered with Anderson Riley before founding his own firm. He received many honors and was recognized for his creativity and innovation in design.

While in Columbia, he met and married Edelu Gordon. They had three children, six grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

Maynard loved the South Carolina coast and spent much time there enjoying the surf and capturing the scenes in his photography and watercolors, first from his vacation home at Litchfield Beach, and later when he and Edelu retired to Kiawah Island. They interrupted those days to move for a time to Gainesville, Florida, to help raise grandchildren. Eventually, they moved to Bishop Gadsden in Charleston, SC.

After Edelu’s death in 2006, Maynard married Jule Graham and moved to Beaufort, South Carolina. After Jule’s death, Maynard moved to Stonegates in Greenville, Delaware, to be closer to his youngest child, Kathryn.

As an architect Maynard received multiple AIA awards for design excellence. Major projects include the 19 story Senate Plaza in Columbia, Dutch Square and Woodhill Malls, the USC Bates House Residence Halls and Computer Center, and many single-family residences. He was appointed President of the Artists’ Guild of Columbia, Chairman of the SC State Arts Selection Committee and served on the Board of Trustees, Columbia Museum of Art. Maynard also served as AIA Chairman of Art in Architecture Publications and wrote architectural articles for SC Magazine. Maynard’s designs are prime examples of mid-century modern. As he described it, “I was mostly trying to do – not traditional architecture – but contemporary architecture, taking in mind the light and orientation and views. … I like a sense of light and brightness and spaciousness.”

He was an accomplished watercolorist who exhibited at the Columbia Museum of Art, The Gibbes Museum in Charleston and in many juried shows across the country. He continued to paint throughout his life.

Maynard was a beloved fixture in every community in which he participated. He had a large circle of friends with whom he stayed in contact and enjoyed getting together with them for parties, golf, bridge, the theater, and dinners out. He combined his loves for adventure and painting through his travels across the world. His travel journals, complete with illustrative watercolors, are housed at the library of the College of Charleston.

Maynard is survived by his daughter Cheryl Pearlstine Jalbert, son Leonard Gordon Pearlstine and his wife Elise Vernon Pearlstine, and daughter Kathryn Pearlstine (Freilich) and her husband Steven Freilich, four grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his honor may be made to The College of Charleston Library or the Brandywine River Museum in Chadds Ford, PA.

The memorial service will be held at Bishop Gadsden Chapel in Charleston, SC.

Maynard’s art, architecture, and travel journals can be viewed at maynardpearlstine.com.