MCKEESPORT HIGH SCHOOL HALL OF FAME
1987
Samuel R. LaRosa (dec.) (1932) Dedicated his life to the development of activities for youth in McKeesport
Dr. Yvonne Roebuck Weber (1943) Educator, author and lecturer
Praxiteles "Ted" Pandel (1952) Concert pianist
Phyllis T. Garland (1953) Journalist; professor at Columbia University
Merrit Malloy (1963) Poet and screenwriter
Dr. Paul R. Bosanac (dec.) (1963) Chief of Nephrology at Allentown Hospital & Sacred Heart Hospital Center
Linda Mulac Siminerio (1969) Diabetes educator and researcher, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
1988
Richard J. Helmstadter (dec.) (1923) Partner in Helmstadter Brothers Department Store; civic leader
John J. Kovaly (1946) Engineer; assistant to the PATRIOT Program, Raytheon Company Missile Systems Division
Duane Michals (1949) World-renowned photographer
Dr. Joan Drye Stipetic (1953) Superintendent of Schools, Groton, Connecticut
Dr. Edgar H. Ulm (1960) Biochemist with Merck, Sharp & Dohme Research
James Kane (1960) Research chemist; co-founder of Diatec Polymers
Ruth McLean Cahn (1964) Member of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra; college music educator
1989
Vincent R. Scorsone (1953) Group Vice President, ALCOA Aerospace & Industrial Products
Jared Adams Lynch (1947) Television newsman and writer
William H. Dougherty (1948) Executive VP and CFO of Key Corp. of Albany, NY, a bank holding company
General George D. Miller (1948) Retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General
Grover Dale (1953) Broadway dancer, actor, director and choreographer
Dr. Maryann F. Fralic (1954) Senior VP, Nursing, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
Franklin J. Phillips (dec.) Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, U.S. Army
1990
John Hoerr (1948) Senior writer at Business Week; author
Warren W. White (1949) Executive VP, Strawbridge & Clothier
William E. Stewart (1949) President of McKee Stewart Equipment Corp.
Van Dyke Parks (1960) Composer-songwriter
The Hon.Cynthia Ackron Baldwin (1962) Judge, Court of Common Pleas, Allegheny County
Dr. Linda Seeger Croushore (1964) Executive Director, The Consortium for Public Education;
Founder, McKeesport High School Alumni & Friends Association
Patricia Louise Gorecki Dysart (1965) One of the first 2 women to walk the entire Australian continent
1991
Sophie Irene Loeb (dec.) (1984) Dedicated supporter of welfare legislation for the poor; author and activist
Dorothy Jean Pollock (1942) Senior research scientist, polymer physicist in R&D, Atlantic Richfield Co.
Hartley C. King (1951) Founder and head of Kings Family Restaurant chain
John L. Patterson (1952) Lifelong political and civic leader in Allegheny and White Oak, where he served as Mayor
Raymond A. Beirne (1953) Senior executive with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Donna Rooke Gibbs (1954) Lyric soprano and acclaimed performer
Marc Connelly (dec.) Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright
1992
Dr. Milton Mermelstein (dec.) (1923) Practiced family medicine for nearly 50 years in McKeesport
Dr. Sara Ellen Procious Malueg (1950) Faculty member, administrator in a number of colleges and universities
Thomas F. Lugaric (1953) Petroleum engineer; Managing Director, Hydrocarbon Energy, Inc., Hoboken, NJ
Gladys Clark-Johnson (1953) Educator characterized by a strong advocacy for individuals with disabilities
Dr. David J. Tolner (1969) Neurosurgeon in private practice in Glen Burnie, MD
Frank Anthony Ruta (1975) White House Chef
1993
Colonel Mitchell Paige (ret.) (1935) Congressional Medal of Honor recipient in World War II; U.S. Marine Corps
Dr. Vera R. Wyche (1940) Long and distinguished career in public education in Detroit, MI
Maj. Gen. Edwin A. Coy (ret.) (1945) U.S. Air Force Major General
Zoran Popovich (1948) Government Service, Mayor of McKeesport, county and state judge
Dr. James F. Mellinger (1955) Chief of Pediatric Neurology Section, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
Hedda Bluestone Sharapan (1961) Child development and children’s television specialist with Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood
Dr. Frank Bondi (dec.) (1929) Medical Director of McKeesport Hospital; physician and surgeon
Dr. Conney M. Kimbo (dec.) (1951) Longtime educator; active participant in civic/cultural affairs; promoter of Black American Art
1994
Marion Skezas, M.D.(1944) First woman graduate of McKeesport to become a surgeon
Allen J. Singleton (1950) Educator, entrepreneur and president of Singleton’s Educational/Consulting Services of New York
The Hon. Bernard E. Revak (1952) Judge on the San Diego, CA, Superior Court
Vincent J. Chaverini (1954) Director of Operations, U.S. Department of State Rev.
Dr. Lacy Franklin Richardson (1955) Dual careers in social work and the ministry
A. James Liedtke, M.D. (1956) Chairman of Department of Cardiology, University of Wisconsin
Gary Lynn Thomas (1960) Executive in the telecommunications and financial services industry
1995
Edward W. Garbett (1932) Longtime band and orchestra director at McKeesport High School
Joan Rotheram MacDonald (1948) Public servant and dedicated volunteer
Sylvester Damianos (1951) Award-winning architect
Annette Shample Karnash (1954) Director of Nursing, educator and consultant
Frank R. Bakos (1955) Vice president, Westinghouse Electric Corp.; President, Power Generation Business Unit
James R. Miller (1965) Senior partner in the law firm of Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C.
Special Recognition: 1955 State Championship Basketball Team - In recognition of the 40th Anniversary of the McKeesport High School varsity basketball team’s 54-48 victory over Chester to bring the first state championship to McKeesport since 1921. Team members were Dennis Kuremsky, James Falis, David Rankin, Gene Danko, George Krajack, Walter Gibbons, Stewart Heller, Tom Markovich, Ronald Protz, Bruce Keen, Argyle Robinson, Edward Ziobro, Robert Mintz, Ronald Ivkovich and Glenn Shample. Coach was Cornelius P. "Neenie" Campbell.
1996
Robert A. Bazylak, M.D. (1964) Owner-director of Lakeland Emergicenter in Meadville, PA
Stanley A. Mendoza, M.D. (1957) Professor of pediatrics and Chair, Department of Pediatrics, University of California at San Diego
Ronald P. Sandmeyer (1948) Chairman, president and CEO, Sandmeyer Steel Company, Philadelphia
William C. Schultz (1944) Chairman of the Board and CEO of Fender Musical Instruments Corp.
Clyde W. Waite (1962) Partner in Steif, Waite, Gross, Sagoskin & Gilman of Newtown, PA
Richard M. Wardrop, Jr. (1963) President and CEO of AK Steel Corp. in Middletown, OH
Helen Malseed (dec.) (1926) Revered Mckeesport High School speech teacher; first woman to serve on the National Council of the National Forensic League
Memorial Tribute: Ronald Yuhasz (1954) Founding member and tireless supporter of the MHSl Alumni & Friends Association.
1997
Lt. Col. Donald C. Pipp (1971) U.S. Air Force career officer
Ann Louise Steele Buck, M.D. (1948) Founder/director of private practice of radiology; McKeesport Area medical community leader
Joseph J. Bendel (dec.) (1949) Mayor of the City of McKeesport; longtime civic leader
Robert W. Meredith (1956) McKeesport High School campus principal; longtime educator
Leland Gantt (1973) Performer on stage and in films and television
Dr. Edward B. Rotheram (dec.) (1915) Dentist and civic leader
1998
George C. Sotereanos, DMD (1948) Nationally known oral/maxillofacial surgeon; faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh
William J. Cox (1922) Vice President of Cox’s Inc. department store; longtime civic leader
Bertha Mae Robinson Chaplin (1946) Co-founder and director of McKeesport Pre-School for Exceptional Children
Donald Beattie (1944) Manager, founder and owner of steel processing plants
Anne Sigmund Camic (1939) Devoted to McKeesport and its business, educational, civic and cultural life
Major A. Mason III, Ph.D. (1958) Community organizer and activist, founded NOW Enterprises, Inc.
Major Valerie Lindahl Moore (1979) Chief, Defense Planning Systems, US Army Command and General Staff Officer Course at Fort Leavenworth, KN
1999
M. Jeanne Dix (1947) Veteran educator, community leader and dedicated volunteer
Robert C. Buchanan (1944) Transit system executive and consultant
Dr. William N. Pigozzi (1935) Longtime McKeesport-area physician
Chris Casciato (1976) Managing Director, Goldman Sachs & Co., New York, NY
Bernard J. McGowan (1947) Judge, Court of Common Pleas, Allegheny County, PA
2000
Dr. Edward F. Gliwa (dec.) (1940) Pioneering public health physician in Delaware
Jack Arnette Kirkland I (1950) Veteran educator and consultant
Robert T. Messner (1956) Attorney and longtime civic and business leader in the McKeesport community
Dr. William J. Dunlay, Jr. (1961) Principal,Leigh Fisher Associates, San Mateo, Calif.; recognized airfield/airspace planning expert
Dr. Thomas F. Patton (1966) President of St. Louis College of Pharmacy
Capt. Susan Lyn Barlow Fasano (1980) One of first 100 women aviators hired by a commercial carrier; captain for United Airlines
2000 Special Recognition (McKeesport Area School District):
Karen L. Donaldson (1965) Music educator who has led elementary, middle school and high school music programs
Gerald Grayson (1967) Teacher, basketball coach and former McKeesport Area High School football star
Charlene D. Green (1968) Teacher and administrator
Barbara Babyak McCall (1964) Longtime Learning Support teacher
Benjamin B. Disegi (dec.) (1930) Teacher, coach and administrator
Richard J. Gergely (dec.) (1958) Teacher and coach who was active in the McKeesport community
Gertrude M. Greenfield (dec.) (1923) Teacher at Centennial Elementary School
William P. Isbir (dec.) (1964) Teacher, coach and supportive friend to students
Mark Reigard (dec.) (1925) Respected high school history and social studies teacher
Glenn "Dutch" Shample (dec.) (1956) Teacher and widely respected basketball official
Raymond Souders (dec.) (1970) Sports trainer and friend to young people
John M. Yarnovic (1949) Veteran educator who taught English for 30 years at McKeesport and served in many capacities with PSEA
2001
High School Rededication Ceremony
2002
Helen Richey (dec.) (1927) Pioneer aviator who recorded many aviation “firsts” in her career
Arthur N. Rupe (1935) Businessman and philanthropist
Milton W. Shlapak (1951) International businessman and developer
Ross Fichtner (1956) All-pro football player and NFL coach
Gerald L. Bryant (1965) Educational consultant
Rev. Dr. Constance M. Baugh (1967) Religious leader and advocate for social justice
Teresa Glenn Petrick (1976) Hospital administrator in the UMPC Health System
2003
Arnold (Wargo) Varga (dec.) (1945) Artist & illustrator
Dr. Robert A. Dannels (dec.) (1946) Nuclear physicist with Westinghouse Corp.
Lanny E. Van Eman (1957) Outstanding high school and college athlete, coach and sports administrator
John R. Starmack, Ph.D. (1960) Educator and consultant in the public schools and the Community College of Allegheny County
Judi Shermer Wolf (1961) Educator and consultant focusing on technology in the classroom
Richard J. Matason (1964) Executive Director, Westmoreland County Department of Public Safety
Joan Such Lockhart (1969) Nurse and nursing educator at Duquesne University
2004
John "Dink" Ulm (dec.) (1926) Art Director, The Daily News, McKeesport, PA
Herbert G. Breitinger (1938) Longtime McKeesport businessman and civic leader
John D. Mench (1938) Member, The Manhattan Project at Los Alamos, NM
Helen Rose Basch (dec.) (1940) Missionary nurse in India and Africa, educator
Darlene Scott Payne (1952) cable television pioneer and community volunteer
Rudy A. Antoncic, Jr., M.D. (1961) McKeesport physician and community advocate
Christine Johnson Davis (1962) Archaeologist and consultant
Lisa Feldman Brill (1964) Community leader, dedicated volunteer and philanthropist
Joseph J. Hoffman (1965) Law enforcement officer at the local, state and national levels
2005
Robert C. “Bobby” Mulgado (1954) Standout football player and dedicated law enforcement officer
Dr. Eugene T. Danko (1955) Respected radiologist and co-captain of the 1955 McKeesport High School state championship basketball team
Ina Jean Bell Marton (1961) Mayor of White Oak and longtime community and civic volunteer
Dr. Joseph Jerome “Jerry” Zolten (1963) Associate Professor of Communication Arts and Sciences and American Studies at Penn State Altoona, and American “roots music” authority
James C. Epolito (1973) Successful business executive, chief executive of the Michigan Economic Development Corp.
Dr. Carole L. Freund (1984) Molecular biologist and human geneticist; college teacher
2006
The Hon. Nicholas P. Papadakos (1942) Retired Justice, State Supreme Court, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Michael J. Kadar (dec.) (1944) Banking professional and dedicated civic servant and volunteer
Alvin L. Hillegass (1944) U.S. Steel Corp. executive and industrial entrepreneur
Corinne Meerhoff Barnes (dec.) (1946) Nursing educator and pioneer in revolutionizing hospital care for children
Paul V. Carlin (1963) Attorney and bar association executive dedicated to furthering the goals and reach of the legal profession
The Right Rev. Keith Lynn Ackerman (1964) the Eighth Bishop of Quincy, Episcopal Church in the United States of America
William P. Leonard (1983) whose athletic and academic careers have been marked by excellence
2007
William H. Bechtol (1940) Transportation professional and dedicated community servant
Bette Dingeldein Ford (1945) Her eclectic career has encompassed modeling, acting and bullfighting
Charles D. Mikell, M.P.H. (1952) Public health professional with a demonstrated concern for community and social issues.
Gary J. Yazwa (1964) Top executive with the Boys and Girls Clubs
Kathleen Rollason (1969) Devoted her professional life to helping people with disabilities
David C. Neuschwander, M.D. (1976) Leading orthopedic surgeon who is active in the region's medical community.
2008
Edward “Eddie” Rack (1936) Professional golfer and golf course developer
Russell L. Goetz (1948) Veteran major league baseball umpire
Marilyn Taft Thomas (1960) Accomplished pianist, composer and music educator
David G. Savage (1968) Staff writer for the Los Angeles Times who covers the U.S. Supreme Court
Mary Jo Sharbaugh Cerepani (1977) A recognized expert in emergency nursing
U.S. Army Col. Craig L. Bollenberg, Sr. (1978) Dean of the Joint and Combined Warfighting School (JCWS) in Norfolk, VA
Cara Grimm-McBride (1985) Media consultant and Emmy Award-winning executive producer and anchor in television news
2009
Robert Hofman, Ph.D., Class of 1955, a biologist and researcher whose expertise has helped shape international policy on marine living resources.
Phyllis R. Gerber, Class of 1959, whose passion for the theater helped make learning come alive for students and children across the area.
James P. Beirne, Class of 1964, a successful home builder and star football player at the high school, college and pro levels.
James R. Brewster, Class of 1966, longtime civil servant who is currently serving as Mayor of McKeesport.
Win Lee MacKewiz, O.D., Class of 1976, who survived a chaotic childhood to become a successful eye doctor.
Lisa M. Burns, Ph.D., Class of 1989, accomplished academic and author whose focus on the media ranges from first ladies to sports.
Karrie A. Kalich, Ph.D., Class of 1990, a scholar, community leader and researcher with a special interest in childhood obesity.
2010
Urban Marcellus Garrett, Class of 1948, accomplished musician and dedicated teacher whose career in education spanned more than 40 years.
Ellen Vasey Show, Class of 1955, health care professional, consultant and active community leader.
Robert E. Nahory, Ph.D., Class of 1956, physicist who led research in the use of semiconductors and lasers.
Allan G. Bluman, Ed.D., Class of 1960, veteran mathematics and statistics instructor and textbook author.
The Rev. Earlene Coleman, Class of 1964, respected McKeesport pastor and community advocate.
Cheryl McCall (dec.), Class of 1968, crusading journalist, Oscar-nominated producer, and lawyer.
Margaret D. Larkins-Pettigrew, M.D., Class of 1972, clinical educator and practitioner at MacDonald Women's Hospital in Cleveland.
