Walsh

Edward John Walsh, 78, of Slippery Rock died at 12:13 p.m. Monday at the Grove City Medical Center.

Born in Pittsburgh, March 1, 1932, he was the only child of Michael Thomas and Martha Mabel Stadler Walsh.

Ed attended St. Mary's Catholic School in Sharpsburg for grades one through eight, and he graduated in 1950 from North Catholic High School in Pittsburgh. He earned his bachelor's in education degree from Clarion State Teachers College, now Clarion University, in 1954 with majors in English and social studies.

He met his wife, the former Frances Harriet Ernest, while the two were students there. They married Dec. 30, 1954.

Ed served two years in the U.S. Army. A Korean War veteran, he was fortunate that the war had ended before he shipped out so he was stationed for 18 months in Japan, where his wife was able to join him. He spent the spring and summer of 1956 on temporary duty to the division baseball team as a left-handed relief pitcher for the Black Knights of the Fifth Cavalry. Though he was known as a clutch short reliever, he was even better as hitter, going six for six that season, a perfect 1.000 batting average.

Upon his return to the United States, Ed taught junior/senior high school and continued his love for sports, coaching baseball and basketball at Summerville, Pa., for one year. He then taught English for four years at Penn Hills High School, while earning his master of letters degree at the University of Pittsburgh. He continued on at Pitt, completing course work toward a doctorate in English.

Ed joined the English Department at Slippery Rock University in 1961, where he taught until his retirement in January 1996, when he was honored with the title of professor emeritus. A gifted teacher, he combined humor and an incredible insight into the human condition to aid his students in interpreting literature — both prose and poetry. He loved teaching American literature and had a special affinity for Emily Dickinson and Mark Twain. He also taught journalism and served as faculty adviser for the school's student newspaper for a number of years. He was proud that so many of his journalism students moved on to prominent positions with newspapers around the country.

At SRU, Ed continued to coach, donating his time as pitching coach for the baseball team for 23 years. Last May many of Ed's former players organized a wonderful banquet in his honor as a way of thanking him for being more than a coach, for being a great mentor and a friend. This turned out to be a fitting final tribute for Ed, who was deeply touched by the love espoused by the players as well as former students, interns and friends who attended.

Ed combined his love of sport with his love of literature and writing to design a sports writing journalism course. He also pioneered one of the country's first sports literature courses, a genre he loved and followed through his membership in the Sports Literature Association.

His involvement in sports and academia led to his initiating successful internship programs for SRU students with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1976 and soon after with the Pittsburgh Penguins, programs that over the years have placed more than 50 students with these teams. Seventeen Slippery Rock graduates currently work for the Pirates, according to The Rock, SRU's alumni magazine.

Ed's love of baseball and teaching didn't end with the university's team. He was an active coach in Slippery Rock's youth baseball programs for about 10 years, coaching Little League, Pony League and Legion teams, while also conducting several youth baseball camps and instructional programs for coaches in the area.

Ed also served on the Slippery Rock Borough Council for many years, including a few years as president in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

He is survived by his wife; his daughter, Susan R. Walsh and her husband, Richard Wojcik, of Rochester Hills, Mich.; his son, Timothy E. Walsh and his wife, Ailleen, of Slippery Rock; three grandchildren, Sally R. Walsh, Gabrielle A. Walsh and Aaron John Walsh; and his beloved cat, Siu-Ling.

The family expresses gratitude to SRU's Institute for Learning in Retirement, whose classes were so enjoyed by Ed. The family also gives heartfelt thanks to the doctors and nurses in the intensive care unit at the Grove City Medical Center and to the staff at the Autumn Grove Care Center in Harrisville for the skilled and loving care he received.

<B>WALSH</B> — Services for Edward John Walsh, who died Monday, Dec. 13, 2010, will be at the St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, Slippery Rock, Monday, Dec. 20, at 10 a.m. Visitation will be at the <B>Smith Funeral Home</B>, 241 New Castle St., Slippery Rock, Sunday, Dec. 19, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Interment will be in Allegheny Cemetery, Lawrenceville, Allegheny County.Memorial contributions may be made to Messer's Milestone Baseball Scholarship, contact william.richter@sru.edu; the Slippery Rock University Foundation, Center for Advancement, Room 100 Old Main, Slippery Rock, PA 16057; or to the Clarion University Foundation, Center for Advancement, 840 Wood Street, Clarion, PA 16214.