George Richard Wagner, Ph.D.

George Richard Wagner, Ph.D. and Korean War veteran, 92, of Murrysville, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on April 2, 2026, at UPMC East Hospital in Monroeville. He was born on November 12, 1933, in Chicago, the son of the late George W. and Evelyn (Gauger) Wagner. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jane L. Wagner; his sister, Shirley Olson; and his brothers, David Wagner and Douglas Wagner.

George was first and foremost a dedicated family man. He introduced to and spent his time with his family hunting, camping, skiing, jogging, and collecting firewood (“get the ants working”). Whether it was a graduation, wedding, religious ceremony, or sports event, George made the trip to support his children and grandchildren.

In 2000, he and Jane realized a lifetime dream of vacationing at a beach-front house with the entire extended family together for a week. George continued the beach week tradition every year, including for 2026. Let’s not forget that beach beer with George begins promptly at 4 pm. Thanksgiving was a time for extended family to gather at George and Jane’s home, enjoy the feast, sight in rifles, and make the yearly trek to Cresson Ridge for the opening day of deer season.

George had inexhaustible energy, an insatiable passion for learning and experiencing new things, and an unyielding willingness to share what he had learned. He was generous with his time and used his rich store of knowledge to help his family, friends, and neighbors. He was always there to lend a hand - whether it was car repair, debugging an HVAC issue, wiring new lights, plumbing, or removing a tree for firewood.

George had too many good friends to count. George hunted with longtime hunting companions Robert Wigle, Ted Mallick, and the Skupien Family; golfed with partners Mike Sopira, Bob Weinert, and Ed Keyser. Ken Cerra, whom George considered a family member, called George almost every week to check on him and was always ready to show up with a carload full of tools and supplies to pursue George’s latest DIY project. George (aka “Pounder”) will be missed at the yearly lunchtime fires on Cresson Ridge for hot sausage and a beer. He was a member of the Franklin Township Pointer and Setter Club for 55 years and spent his final years hunting pheasants with his Brittany Spaniel, Cody, and his friend Ron Karloski. After retiring from hunting at 89, he and Ron continued the weekly tradition of going for after-hunting pizza and beer until February of this year. The Penn Murry Bar staff will not soon forget their refrain when ordering pizza: “crispy, make the crust crispy!”

George received his undergraduate degree in Engineering Physics from the University of Illinois in 1960 after serving as a Marine. After graduation, he moved to Pittsburgh with his family to pursue his career at Westinghouse Research Labs in Churchill while enrolled in graduate school at the Carnegie Institute of Technology. He subsequently spent his entire professional life as a researcher at Westinghouse from which he retired in 1995 after 35 years. George was a proud holder of several patents.

His children and grandchildren will reminisce his words when departing his house: “I’ll see ya when I see ya, and if I don’t see ya, I’ll see ya.”

George is survived by his daughter, Lynn Gruen; his two sons, Richard (Francine) Wagner, and Michael (Tammy) Wagner; his eight grandchildren, Keith, Kelly, Josh (Monica), Zach (Erin), Nathan (Inga), Kyle, Amanda, and Joe (Kelby); his great grandson, Micah; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation for George will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2026, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Hart Funeral Home Inc., Murrysville. Parting Prayers will be held at the funeral home on Friday April 10, 2026, at 11:15 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 12 noon at St. Mary, Our Lady of Lourdes, Church in Export. Interment will follow at Murrysville Cemetery.

For online condolences, please visit www.hartfuneralhomeinc.com.

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