Alexander Robert Rich

Alexander R. Rich passed away peacefully, April 9,2018 at home after a 25-year struggle living with cancer. Alex is a 1960 graduate of Windber Area High School in Windber, Pa. He served in US Air Force from 1960-64 and retired as Professor Emeritus of Psychology in 1997 at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Indiana, PA. Alex received a Bachelor of Science Psychology at Penn State in 1970 and PhD in clinical Psychology from Kent State in 1976.

At Indiana University of PA, he was the major Professor for the first PhD graduate in Psychology and a key leader in the establishment of a clinical doctorate program (PsyD.) Alex was the Clinical Director from 1978-91 for the Open Door Drug and Alcohol Counselling Center and had a private clinical practice for 20 years. In recent years, Alex and his wife, Victoria, established Rich Consultantship.

Alex’s favorite passions centered around sports. To him, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Penguins were in comparable. Each game involved extensive preparations via text messages with sons, son –in law and brothers. Alex also loved golf. His youngest son, Geoff, started the annual Rich Family Golf Outing that has been hosted in PA for many years to support research in Multiple Myeloma.

Alex, also known as Butch, Puppa, Brother Al, Dad and Dr. Rich, lived a mindful life and valued every moment without regret but with a heart of love. He was an eternal optimist, travelled the world, enjoyed opera, fine art museums and global religion studies.

A beloved husband, father, brother and grandfather, he is survived by his wife of 34 years, Victoria; sons, Christopher, Gregory and Geoffrey; stepchildren, Robert and Julie; 10 grandchildren, Alexandra, Ben, Arianna, Victoria, Ethan, Eva, Alaina, Lia, Henry and Jacob; 3 brothers, Peter, James, and David, 1 sister Darlene; and many nieces and nephews. Alex is the eldest son of former lifelong Windber residents, Alexander and Marianne Rich.

A celebration of life, welcome to all who knew Alex, is being held at Blount & Curry Funeral Home Carrollwood on April 21 from 5-8pm. The family requests cards and condolences be sent to Victoria Rich 18923 Avenue Biarritz Lutz, FL 33558. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Victoria and Alexander Rich Advanced Practice Fellowship. Checks should be made payable to USF Foundation, Inc with the memo noting fund number 270046 and mailed to USF Health Development 12901 Bruce B Downs Blvd, MDC 70, Tampa, FL 33612. Donations can also be made online at bit.ly/richfellowship.

To view Alex’s life story online and leave a comment, please visit www.dignitymemorial.com. All comments will be included in his memory book.