Steven Arivd Stepanian II
Steven Arivd Stepanian II, 80, a well-known Pittsburgh attorney, passed away Friday from complications from pneumonia.
Born April 15, 1935, Mr. Stepanian had practiced sports, corporate and financial law since his graduation from Harvard Law School in 1963.
Mr. Stepanian served as counsel to the Pittsburgh Penguins for over 18 years, from 1985 through 2003, when they won their two Stanley Cups. He handled personal matters for players such as home purchases and sales, celebrity appearances and product endorsements. He often traveled with the team to away games. His best friend was Paul Martha, the Penguins president, and they had lunch together every day for 35 years.
From 1981 through 1990 he was general counsel for the National Football League Alumni. He negotiated a pension plan for the pre-1959 players, who had been excluded from the original pension agreement.
He previously was an owner of the Marine Magnesium Co., which purchased its pharmaceutical business from Merck & Co. in 1988. MMC became the world's largest independent producer of magnesium pharmaceutical products and was sold in 1994 to the Morton Salt Co.
As past president of the Pittsburgh University Club, he was instrumental in removing the racially-discriminatory membership requirements of the club in 1981. He was a member of the Duquesne Club for over 40 years, and a lifetime member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Mensa International.
Mr. Stepanian was the son of the late Steven and Edithmarion Stepanian and was raised in Charleroi, Pa. He attended Grove City College and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh.
Upon graduation he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. He flew for over three years as a navigator for the Strategic Air Command and then remained active in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. He was recalled to active duty in Vietnam in 1967-1968 and retired in 1972 with the rank of major.
His wife, Pamela, was an international flight attendant for US Airways/American Airlines and together they have traveled the world.
He was a man of great humor, style and wit. His zest for life and his intellect were boundless. He will be immensely missed by his family.
He is survived by his wife, Pamela Abbey Stepanian of Pittsburgh; his brother, Leo, and his sister, Dr. Laurie Anne, both of Butler; as well as his niece and nephews, Leanne, Leo, Joshua and Jonathan; and many great-nieces and great-nephews.
STEPANIAN — Friends of Steven Arivd Stepanian, who died Friday, Aug. 28, 2015, will be received from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. today at theJohn A. FreyvogelFuneral Home, 4900 Centre Ave. at Devonshire Street.A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Sept. 12 at the First Presbyterian Church, 320 Sixth Ave. Burial will be private.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Animal Friends, 562 Camp Horne Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 or to an organization of your choice.For more information, visit www.freyvogelfuneralhome.com.
