Robert H. Rial ’37

Former Court of Common Pleas Judge Bob Rial died June 3, 1995, following a heart attack suffered while driving in Greensburg, Penn.

At Greensburg H.S., Bob was into publications, dramatics, and was a sport manager. At Princeton he majored in politics and was a member of Charter. After being employed by the H. J. Heinz Co. until 1939, he attended Penn Law School. In 1942 he was tapped by the Army for three years service, partly at Camp Polk, La., where he was discharged as a sgt. and went with his father's law firm, Walls, Rial & Morrell, in Greensburg.

He had many a foray in Westmoreland County politics, winning a judgeship in 1969, the first Republican to do so in 37 years. "He was a great handshaker and immensely likeable. That made him a formidable opponent," said a sometime political foe and longtime friend.

In 1987 he gave his hobbies as "my family and my garden, the law, politics, the Pittsburgh Steelers, my wife's church, and swimming."

His wife, Sarah, died in 1986, and he left three daughters, Elizabeth, Sarah, and Laura; two sons, Hugh and Charles; and 10 grandchildren. Our condolences go to the family.

The Class of 1937