In Memoriam

To submit a notice for In Memoriam, email pittmag@pitt.edu.

John Guido Bertocchi A&S ’89, GSPIA ’94, LAW ’94, July 2022, age 54, of Kittanning, Pennsylvania. As an undergraduate majoring in Italian and political science, he was a recipient of the Italian Nationality Room Scholarship, which he used to study abroad in Siena, Italy. Then, as a Pitt graduate student, he interned in the Office of Western European Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. Following his law degree, he went to work in the tax department of U.S. Steel Corporation in Pittsburgh and, later, in its offices in Kosice, Slovakia. He achieved 25 years of service with the company before his death. He was passionate about all things Italian and all things Pitt. He spent nine years living in Oakland and enjoyed regularly attending Panther football at Pitt Stadium and basketball games in the Field House, followed by some post-game nourishment at Uncle Sam’s or The O. He is survived by his longtime girlfriend, three siblings, who are also Pitt alumni, and extended family and friends in the United States, Italy and Slovakia.

Mary Chiodo EDUC ’68, LAW ’71, June 2023, age 94, of St. Anne’s Retirement Community, Pennsylvania. She was born in Homestead, Pennsylvania, and entered the Adorers of the Blood of Christ in 1957, making her final profession in 1964. Her education took her to Pitt and the University of Notre Dame. With teaching as a vocation, she taught in North Carolina, Georgia, Illinois and Pennsylvania. She also traveled overseas, teaching conversational English in Bari, Italy. Wherever she went, she enjoyed rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Her other hobbies included Civil War history and watching movies.

Charles “Corky” Cost ENGR ’58, April 2023, age 87, of Pittsburgh. A talented athlete, he played baseball, basketball and football for the Pitt Panthers, earning nine letters in three years. During his time at Pitt, he met his wife, Frances, to whom he was married for 65 years. After graduating, he served in the U.S. Army before beginning a 60-year career leading the Cost Company. Known as the “Wizard of Brick and Block,” he was part of many renewal projects in Pittsburgh, including the seven-month effort to clean and restore Pitt’s Cathedral of Learning, for which the City of Pittsburgh honored him with the Historic Preservation Award. A community leader and philanthropist, he was proud to give back to his alma mater, and he generously funded the creation of Pitt’s Cost Sports Center. The Charles L. Cost Field, where Pitt’s baseball team plays, is named in his honor.   

James “Jim” Garvey A&S ’73, January 2023, age 84, of Pittsburgh. Born and raised in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, he graduated magna cum laude from Pitt and received a Master of Divinity from St. Francis Seminary in Loretto, Pennsylvania. He was ordained a Roman Catholic priest for the Diocese of Pittsburgh at St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland. As a priest, he served various parishes throughout Pittsburgh, including St. Anne, St. Ursula and St. Catherine of Siena. He was the administrator of St. Joseph Parish in Manchester and Immaculate Conception in Carnegie. He was pastor of St. Bartholomew in Penn Hills and Epiphany in Uptown Pittsburgh. Dedicated to serving the poor and disenfranchised, he was co-founder of Jubilee Soup Kitchen in the Hill District. He was also a published poet and often wrote articles for The Pittsburgh Catholic. He is survived by a brother, four nieces, two nephews and many grandnieces and grandnephews.

John “Jack” Harmon Jr. A&S ’57, May 2023, age 87, of Providence Point, formerly of Mt. Lebanon and Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania. Predeceased by his wife, Josephine, by one month, he was a devoted father, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle.

Josephine (Jamison) Harmon EDUC ’57, April 2023 age 87, formerly of Mt. Lebanon and Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania. Married to her husband, John, for 66 years, she was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt. She is survived by four of her five children, eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Patricia Ann Hunter SCI ’66G, June 2023, age 80, of Virginia, formerly of North Hills, Pennsylvania. She played the violin while growing up and, as a junior high school student, she was invited to join a senior high school performance after receiving a prestigious award. She had a love for learning, earning a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Clarion University and a master’s degree in library science from Pitt. After working as a librarian in Pittsburgh, she became the coordinator of library services at Virginia Highlands Community College (VHCC), where she enjoyed a 50-year career. During that time, she received a doctorate in community college education from Virginia Tech. As an adult, she learned to ride a motorcycle, and her passion for sharing knowledge led her to develop the first motorcycle-rider training program at VHCC. She served the community in many ways, including through a program she created called “Building Bridges 2 by 2,” which provided supplemental food to those in need. She is survived by her sisters, a niece, a great-niece and a great-nephew.

Sherrill Anne Kuckuck EDUC ’69G, June 2023, age 77, of Indiana, Pennsylvania. She received a bachelor’s degree in communication from Allegheny College, followed by a master’s degree in counseling and a Doctor of Education from Pitt. She served as assistant dean of women for two years at what was then Slippery Rock College before becoming assistant dean of women at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). She spent 33 years at IUP and held a variety of roles there, including director of student development programs and director of orientation. She was named professor emerita after retiring as a faculty member in 2004. Her greatest love was her family, and she was a dedicated and enthusiastic wife and mother. She is survived by her husband and three children, as well as six grandchildren and a brother.

Mauria (Maria) Catherine McPoland A&S ’79, GSPIA ’81 May 2023, age 67, of West Hollywood, California. She was born in Fort Benning (now Fort Moore), Georgia, and traveled with her father, a lieutenant colonel in the Army, as he was stationed around the world. She attended Turtle Creek High School, outside of Pittsburgh, before coming to Pitt, where she studied psychology and joined Chi Omega sorority. In her profession, she had leadership roles in marketing, communications and public relations for Aetna, Prudential, and Good Samaritan Hospital. In Florida, she met her life partner, Robert “Bobby” Earl, and they moved to California, where he passed away from cancer in 2022. Her professional and community service also included being a past president of the Junior League of Los Angeles, serving with the national board of the Association of Junior Leagues International, Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters, American Red Cross of Greater L.A., the Jeffery Foundation for Special Needs Children, American Lung Association, Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership, Optimist Family Services, the YWCA, the American Diabetes Association in North Florida and others. Most recently, she served as chief strategist for Music Mends Minds, Inc. She was a former vice president of communications for the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater LA board and chair of the strategic partnership committee. She was a partner with LA Social Venture Partners (LASVP) and a coach for its Fast Pitch program. She received numerous awards for her professional achievements and philanthropy.

John N. Murphy ENGR ’61, June 2023, age 83, of Pittsburgh. He graduated from St. Justin Catholic High School before coming to Pitt and receiving a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. He later earned a Master of Business Administration from Duquesne University. Beginning his career as an electrical research engineer, he worked at the U.S. Bureau of Mines and eventually became the director of the bureau’s Pittsburgh Research Center. While there, he developed micro-ventilation circuits that are still employed. After becoming senior scientist at the Pittsburgh lab for the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health, he returned to Pitt, where he taught courses in the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering. He was later recruited to join the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine and went on to become executive director. A community leader, he was involved in numerous professional and nonprofit organizations, including the SME Foundation, the National Mine Rescue Association and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. He was assistant scoutmaster and committee chair for Boy Scout Troop 225, and he served as treasurer of the Bethel Park High School marching band. He is survived by his wife, son and grandchildren, as well as his brothers and many nieces and nephews.

Carol Kemp Nill A&S ’63G, SCI ’68G, June 2023, age 84, of Jefferson Hills, Pennsylvania, formerly of McKeesport, Elizabeth Township and White Oak, Pennsylvania. Born in Pittsburgh, she graduated from Lebanon Junior High in West Mifflin and McKeesport High School before attending St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York. From 1960 to 1961, she was a Rotary Fellow at the University of Bombay in India. She received a master’s degree in English literature and a master’s degree in library science from Pitt, and she was a librarian at the Community College of Allegheny County South Campus for 10 years. In 1976, she founded Womansplace in McKeesport, and she served as its executive director for five years. She was a charter member of McKeesport NOW, publisher of The McKeesport Feminist newsletter, co-founder of McKeesport Meals on Wheels and publisher of Elizabeth Township Life magazine, among other leadership roles at various organizations. Predeceased by her husband and an infant son, she is survived by her other children, as well as grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Wayne Port LAW ’71, June 2023, age 76, of Tampa, Florida, formerly of Uniontown, Pennsylvania. He was born in Pittsburgh and spent most of his life in Uniontown before moving to Tampa. After attending Penn State University, he came to Pitt for his law degree. He worked at the law firm Ray, Buck, Margolis, Mahoney and John, eventually becoming a partner.

Henry Russell “Tony” Richardson III  A&S, ’60, December 2022, age 84, of Williamsburg, Virginia. He grew up in West View, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh, and graduated from West View High School. At Pitt, he was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He received the Culver Award in Mathematics and a National Defense Fellowship to Brown University, where he earned a master’s and PhD in mathematics. He joined the mathematical consulting firm Daniel H. Wagner Associates, in Paoli, Pennsylvania, using mathematics to plan and conduct searches at sea for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard. A leader in his field, he pioneered the use of Bayesian analysis in search problems for the Navy and developed the concept of search effectiveness probability. After 20 years, he joined the Center for Naval Analyses, where he eventually became vice president and director of the naval warfare operations division. His career then took him to the U.S. Naval Academy, where he served as chair in operation analysis. He later joined former colleagues at Metron, Inc., in Reston, Virginia, where he held the role of vice president and head of the advanced mathematics division. He found joy in all facets of life and loved sailing, traveling, studying languages and playing the trumpet. He is survived by his wife of 62 years and their children, as well as five grandchildren, a brother and a sister.

Elmer Greinert “Bud” Shuster A&S ’54, April 2023, age 91, of Everett, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Pitt with his bachelor’s degree, he served in the U.S. Army as an infantry lieutenant for two years. Then, he earned a Master of Business Administration from Duquesne University and a doctorate in business and economics from American University. He served 28 years in Congress, including three terms as chair of the House Transportation Committee, and was known for funneling federal funds into infrastructure and economic development in his district. His efforts helped fund pedestrian crossings, access roads, interchanges, buses, road widening and the Bud Shuster Highway — connecting State College, Altoona and the Pennsylvania Turnpike — earning him the nickname the “king of asphalt.” He was predeceased by his first wife and is survived by his second wife, five children, 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

William Edward Thibault Jr. A&S ’69, June 2023, age 76, of Pittsburgh. He received a bachelor’s in economics from Pitt, followed by a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Ball State University through the U.S. Air Force. Charismatic with a knack for making instant friends, he was well known as a business owner in the commercial floor-covering business for several decades. He was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather who spent his retirement focusing on his family and staying active by going to the gym and spending time outdoors. The beach was his favorite place, especially when he was joined by a large group of family members. He is survived by his wife, daughters and grandchildren, as well as his brother, sisters and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Bernard “Bun” Waltman CBA ’50, June 2023, age 96, of Chicora, Pennsylvania. He was a graduate of Chicora High School and served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. While at Pitt, he played the drums in the Marching Band. He was a well-known life insurance agent with Northwestern Mutual in Butler, Pennsylvania, for 57 years. A lifelong member of St. Wendelin Roman Catholic Church, he served on the parish council and worked on various church improvement projects. Known for his quick wit, extensive knowledge and charisma, he enjoyed all outdoor activities, especially hunting, gardening and do-it-yourself projects. In his late fifties, he built his second house by hand. He was also a self-taught musician who sang and played the piano, guitar and harmonica. Predeceased by his wife, a son and a grandson, he is survived by six children, as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Kuyler M. Wise A&S ’79, ’84G, June 2023, age 66, of Bay Village, Ohio. He excelled in chemistry and ranked No. 1 academically in both his junior and senior years at Pitt. He began his career at the Breen Technology Center of the Sherwin-Williams Company in Cleveland, Ohio, serving as a staff scientist whose dedication to his work and colleagues was said to be unparalleled. His interests ranged from hiking to the high-fidelity reproduction of music. He loved his family and, in recent years, had almost-nightly video conference calls with his siblings. He was predeceased by his parents, a brother and a sister, and he is survived by two brothers and several nieces and nephews.

To submit a notice for In Memoriam, email pittmag@pitt.edu.

This story is from Pitt Magazine's Fall 2023 issue. It was published on August 31, 2023.