
William Hertel
1943-03-16 2015-01-3071, of Mt. Lebanon, on Friday January 30, 2015, peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer. Beloved husband of Kate Leary Hertel; son of the late Godfrey and Esther Hertel; brother of the late Janis Ann Barrington; brother-in-law of Richard J. Leary, III, Maureen Mamula (Milan), Patrick Leary (Julie Mason), Mary Burford (Roy) and Dr. Joseph Leary (Beth); also survived by many nieces, nephews and dear friends; W.D. was a commercial real estate appraiser for many years. "Bill appreciated many of the finer things in life, but did not count the opera or Kennywood among them." The family will receive friends at Laughlin Memorial Chapel, 222 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon on Saturday, February 7, from 1:00pm until time of service at 3:00pm. Interment will be private. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, 320 Bilmar Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15205.
Bill was my friend. I never came back to Pittsburgh without spending as much time with Bill as possible. He was the first to have "all" the Oldies on CD in his car. Bill had two passions, cars and photography. I can't count the number of times we treked out to Scheneley Park for the car races and show. Bill was partial to the Ferraris, even owned one for a time. George already commented extensively on his use of the camera. The first two photos of me in action on the Lebo basketball court came to me curtesey of Bill. I still have them. Much of the time we enjoyed together was spent in silence. If two words would cover it, Bill never used three. He was sometimes seen as blunt. I saw it as plain-speaking, and Bill elevated it to an art form. But he saved the best for those whom desperately needed a taste of humility. I said at his memorial service that Bill was an acquiured taste and that I had acquired it--early on. At Coach Black's Tribute Dinner in 1999, Bill took a number of truly great pictures and placed them in a beautiful 4x6 wood and metal album. He gave several of them as gifts the next night at dinner. Coach Black and I were among the lucky recipients. Mine sits on my desk in a place of honor. I think of Bill every day and I will the rest of my life. He was loyal to those who were loyal to him. He respected those who respected themselves and others. He was never boring. Did I mention that he was my friend?
tribute by Bob Bennett