University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Longtime Pitt Administrator Walt Bielich Passes Away
3/14/2024 9:46:00 AM | General
Walt Bielich, a Pitt football letterman who would go on to serve as executive director of the Pitt Varsity Letter Club, has passed away at the age of 94.
Pitt Athletics served as a second career—and lifelong passion—for Bielich, who retired from the United States Steel Corporation in 1986 and a year later joined the Panthers' athletic department as an assistant director of development.
Bielich went on to lead the Pitt Varsity Letter Club and be an instrumental figure in the formation of the department's national alumni network. After more than two decades of service to Pitt Athletics, he officially retired from a formal work role. However, his fandom and in-person support remained ever present.
Bielich graduated from Pitt in 1955 with a bachelor's degree in economics. He earned a master's degree, also in economics, in 1957. While an undergraduate, Bielich lettered twice in football (1954-55) during the storied "Pitt Rocks Era."
Before completing his bachelor's degree, Bielich served three years in the Marine Corps during the Korean War.
He was married to the former Hope Mervosh (a graduate of Pitt's School of Education) for 62 years until her 2015 passing. The couple had a special passion for Pitt volleyball and they endowed a scholarship in Hope's name that is awarded to a senior player each year.
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 15, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the John F. Slater Funeral Home (4201 Brownsville Road, Pittsburgh, PA, 15227). A service will be held on Saturday, March 16, from 11 a.m. to noon at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Cathedral (450 Maxwell Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15236). There will also be a viewing from 10 to 11 a.m., at the church prior to the start of the service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Hope Mervosh Bielich women's volleyball scholarship, payable to the University of Pittsburgh Department of Athletics, PO Box 7436, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213.
