Passings: Spring 2019

David “Doc” Breyer BUS ’82G, February 2019, age 71, of Harpswell, Maine. He spent nearly 50 years as an educator at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Suffolk University Boston, Southern New Hampshire University, and University of Massachusetts Lowell. Forty years ago, he became interested in refinishing and restoring antiques, and this hobby turned into a successful business. He said his father taught him the secrets to success and happiness: unfailing honesty, constancy in one’s actions and beliefs, kindness to everyone, and benevolence to those less fortunate.

David M. Capone ENGR ’60, March 2017, age 78, of Harwick, Pa. He never met a problem he couldn’t solve, earning more than 25 patents during a 40-year career at MSA, ThermoLab/Thermox, and AMETEK. He was a lifetime professional engineer and a member of ASME, ISA, and the Knights of Columbus. He loved a good joke, detailed explanations, great mysteries, and classic cars. He wore his always-in-style crewcut from his Pitt days through his retirement.

William “Bill” Fralic Jr. Class of ’85, December 2018, age 56, of Atlanta, Ga. He was an All-American lineman at Pitt, an All-Pro during his nine-year NFL career playing for the Falcons and the Lions, and was named to the NFL’s 1980s all-decade team. After retiring from the NFL, he operated Bill Fralic Insurance Services, did color commentary for Pitt football broadcasts, and served as the chairman of the NFL Players Association’s drug-prevention committee. Through the Bill Fralic Foundation, he gave back to his native Penn Hills community, covering most of the costs of the $1 million Bill Fralic Athletic Center at Penn Hills High School.

Usman Gaji Galtimari GSPIA ’67, January 2019, age 81, of Maiduguri, Nigeria. He served in the former North-Eastern State as the permanent secretary of the Economic Planning and Political Division of the Military Governor’s Office, and as the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning. Later, he was appointed secretary to the Borno State Government, and then ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Chad. After the Boko Haram uprising, he was selected to serve as chairman of the Administrative Committee of Inquiry, which investigated the crisis.

M. Robert Geeting A&S ’49, October 2018, age 93, of West Chester, Pa. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps during World War II. After Pitt, he worked in the family hardware store and as a draftsman for an architectural firm, and finally as a commercial salesman for Duquesne Light Company. He was a Freemason for 70 years, and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine for more than 50 years, where he was honored in recognition of his philanthropic activities for children’s hospitals. 

Janet Goldstein SOC WK ’44, November 2017, age 94, of Pittsburgh. She was a social worker for Pittsburgh’s Jewish Family and Community Services and Pittsburgh Public Schools. Her affiliations included National Association of Social Workers; Pennsylvania Association of Social Workers; Mu Phi Epsilon international professional music fraternity; Alpha Kappa Delta international sociology honor society; and Pi Lambda Theta, an educational national honor society. An accomplished pianist, she accompanied Gene Kelly in his East Liberty teaching studio. 

David L. Johnson DEN ’61, November 2018, age 82, of O’Hara Township, Pa. At Pitt, he was a three-time intercollegiate champion and Hall of Fame inductee. After graduation, he served as a dentist in the U.S. Navy, then established a private practice in Pittsburgh’s East Liberty and nearby Aspinwall. His practice is now run by two of his sons. Outside the office, he enjoyed hiking and hunting. 

Lawrence W. Kaplan LAW ’63, February 2019, age 90, of Oakland, Pa. After a successful 22-year legal career with Kaufman and Harris, he went on to serve 30 years as a judge in the Family Division of Allegheny County’s Court of Common Pleas. The Allegheny County Bar Association recognized his achievements in mediation by creating an annual lecture series in his honor. He was very involved in the Pittsburgh community, especially with the Boy Scouts of America; Jewish Family and Children’s Service; and Alpha House, a drug rehabilitation center. 

William R. McLhinney EDUC ’51G, February 2019, age 98, of Hermitage, Pa. He served in the Marines during World War II as a staff sergeant. He taught and coached basketball at Pitcairn High School and Trinity High School before teaching at Sharon High School for more than 30 years. He was a 32nd-degree Mason with the Valley of Pittsburgh; an inductee of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, Washington/Greene County Chapter; and a longtime, active member of Covenant Presbyterian Church of Sharon.

Manderline W. Scales EDUC ’53G, January 2019, age 91, of Winston-Salem, N.C. In 1949, she began her career as a teacher at the racially segregated Atkins High School in Winston-Salem. In 1966, she was one of four African American teachers to integrate the faculty at the city’s Parkland High School. After 20 years of teaching in the city’s public schools, she joined the staff at historically Black Winston-Salem State University, serving as dean of women, director of student affairs, and assistant vice chancellor of student affairs and development.

Joanne M. Sheehan-Smith EDUC ’52, September 2018, age 87, of Mechanicsburg, Pa. She taught technical writing seminars in businesses around Harrisburg, and she created and ran the Writers’ Lab for students at Penn State Harrisburg, where she worked for a decade. She was an active member of Tree of Life Lutheran Church, and volunteered at Messiah Village Retirement Community. 

Glenn A. Smith ENGR ’74, August 2018, age 65, of Mt. Lebanon, Pa. He served as a professional civil engineer and bridge engineer—designing and inspecting bridges for Gannett Fleming for 38 years. He loved his family and was always available to coach and help with his children’s sporting and musical events. He was a proud grandfather and had a love for astronomy, classical music, and Pitt football and basketball.

Charles Larry Garrison Sullivan A&S ’66, January 2019, age 74, of Kansas City, Mo. He worked for Avila University in Kansas City for 47 years, teaching chemistry and becoming the dean of the College of Science and Health. He served as president of GLISN, National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions, Central Academic Advisors for the Health Professions, and the Kansas City Lyric Opera Guild. He won many awards from national health organizations and was involved in local public health and artistic concerns. 

Terrell L. Thistlethwaite EDUC ’83G, September 2018, age 76, of Carlsbad, Calif. He worked for 44 years in higher education as an administrator as well as a biology and chemistry instructor. He worked at colleges and universities in West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, South Carolina, Illinois, and Washington, D.C. He was dedicated to continuing education, developing academic programs, and advancing the interests of the communities where he lived and worked. He was a proud member of Rotary International. 

Zachary Wilkoski BUS ’14G, December 2017, age 29, of Pittsburgh. He worked for Kraft Heinz Company, and later for Bayer Corporation as a planning lead. He was known for his keen planning and organizational skills, both inside and outside of the workplace, where his gatherings with family and friends were well attended and enjoyed by all.

To submit In Memoriam information, email classnotes@pitt.edu.