Lawyer who saved his family’s glass company
A decorated World War II veteran, astute lawyer and generous philanthropist, Walter Blenko Jr. accomplished more in his retirement years than most people do in a lifetime.
“He was an especially fascinating man,” said his wife, Patti Blenko, whom he married nearly five years ago when he was 88.
Mr. Blenko, 93, of Hampton, died Sunday of congestive heart failure.
Her husband didn’t just find a new love in his later years, he was also credited with saving Blenko Glass Co., in Milton, W. Va. — a company that had been in his family for more than 100 years, Mrs. Blenko said.
And just two weeks ago, the couple established a scholarship fund at the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, where they met in 2013 as fellow board directors.
“That was his very last act of generosity,” said his wife, who recalled their September 2014 wedding at the Duquesne University Chapel and subsequent honeymoon in Paris.
Both widowed after long and happy marriages, the couple found more than just solace in each other, Mrs. Blenko said.
“We had a blessed, happy life together,” she said.
Mr. Blenko grew up in Squirrel Hill and left Shady Side Academy halfway through his senior year in 1944 to enlist in the Army during World War II. He fought in Europe as a combat infantryman in the 95th Infantry Division and was awarded a Bronze Star.
Mr. Blenko often attended reunions with other members of his division, reconnecting with old friends, his wife said.
“He went to them all,” she said. “It was very heartwarming.”
He had hoped later this year to attend events for the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Metz, France, where he previously attended the 70th reunion, Mrs. Blenko said.
“He was desperately trying to get well so he could go,” she said. “They really welcomed him with open arms.”
After the war, Mr. Blenko earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Carnegie Institute of Technology in 1950 and a law degree from the University of Pittsburgh three years later.
Mr. Blenko served on the Carnegie Institute’s Alumni Association executive board and became a founding member of the Andrew Carnegie Society — a group of donors formed in 1972.
He joined his father’s law firm in 1954, specializing in patent, trademark and copyright law, and in 1984 became a partner at Eckert, Seamans, Cherin & Mellott.
He transitioned to a parttime role in 1993 before retiring in 2008 — the same year he took over as president of Blenko Glass, started by his grandfather in 1893.
“Up until that time he wasn’t really involved in the company,” Mrs. Blenko said.
Mr. Blenko guided the company through Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2011 and restored its good fortunes, said Dean Six, company vice president and general manager.
“If there was a single person who should get credit for keeping the company going, it was Walter,” Mr. Six said. “He provided the leadership, structure and drive to keep us on course. We survived and now we’re thriving.”
Mr. Blenko often visited the company, where customers would line up in advance to see him sign pieces of art glass with a special etching tool.
“People would wait in line for an hour or more because they all loved him,” Mrs. Blenko said. “He loved it. I think he felt like a rock star.”
“He definitely wasn’t hands off,” noted Mr. Six, who said the company would continue to operate under family management. “Walter would have on his signature bow tie, jacket and pocket handkerchief. He was always very dapper and was wonderful at telling stories. He was really engaging.”
Mr. Blenko’s other great passions were supporting musical theater and collecting cars.
“He was one of our oldest and most cherished board members,” said Van Kaplan, executive producer and CEO of the Pittsburgh CLO, where Mr. Blenko served on the board for the past 12 years. “He really loved musical theater. I think he attended almost every opening of the cabaret theater and musicals.”
Though he was a nonagenarian, you couldn’t tell by Mr. Blenko’s list of favorites, Mr. Kaplan said.
“He would always embrace the new shows,” he said. “He loved them as much as the older ones, which was one of the things I loved most about him. He was forever young.”
Mr. Blenko was also an antique car enthusiast. He served as president of the Classic Car Club of America Museum in rural Michigan and had an impressive collection of his own that included a 1923 Rolls- Royce Silver Ghost.
Mr. Blenko also served in local public positions over the years, including as a Hampton Township school board director from 1993 to 1997, with one year as president, and as a member of the township’s zoning hearing board from 1991 to 1993.
Despite all of his accomplishments, her husband was a humble man, Mrs. Blenko said.
“He never, ever talked about himself,” she said. “He always wanted to help others. He had so many awards and plaques that he ran out of space on his office walls. They are sitting in a pile on the floor.”
Mrs. Blenko said she would especially miss her husband’s unforgettable stories.
“He was a great storyteller,” she said. “Even if you heard the same story seven times, you’d want to hear it an eighth time.”
Along with his wife, Mr. Blenko is survived by his sons, John, of Franklin Park, and Andrew, of Irwin; his stepchildren — whom Mr. Blenko called his “bonus children” — Kristen Lane, of Hampton, Paul David Matty, of Bethel Park, John Matty, of San Diego, and Ami Steinmetz, of Ross; three grandchildren; and six stepgrandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Joy Kinneman.
Visitation will be at John A. Freyvogel Sons, 4900 Centre Ave., Shadyside, on Wednesday, from 1 to 7 p. m. Funeral services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Pittsburgh CLO Guild Patti and Walter Blenko Scholarship Fund for the Performing or Technical Arts by calling 412- 281- 3973 ext. 234, or sent to: Pittsburgh CLO, 719 Liberty Ave., 6th Floor, Pittsburgh 15222.