Award winning reporter and editor, Ralph C. Brem, 91, of the Arbors at St. Barnabas in Pa., died April 21, 2020. A graduate of Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, School of Journalism, Ralph’s career spanned 43 years of newspaper writing and editing — 32 years with Scripps-Howard, the majority with the Pittsburgh Press. Ralph started as a beat reporter covering downtown Pittsburgh, various government offices including the morgue and was a part of the Pittsburgh Renaissance. His college minor in art and flair for painting and drawing landed him the art critic job at the Press and a front seat at the Carnegie Internationals. Ralph co-authored a cartoon strip with the late Chuck Livolsi based on the Pittsburgh blue collar scene, called Brass Hats, which appeared for several years in the Press.
The winner of local, state and national writing awards, Ralph was named Managing Editor of the Press under Editor John Troan. He retired from the Press in 1986 and was briefly affiliated with Ketchum Advertising editing the PPG color magazine before being tapped as editor of The Dominion Post in Morgantown, a position he held for 11 years.
A long time theater lover and amateur actor, Ralph became active in West Virginia Public Theater while in Morgantown, wrote numerous plays, one of which was produced and staged by WVPT, a musical adaptation of “The Christmas Carol.” Ralph also performed on stage appearing in cameo roles in “Cabaret,” “Hello Dolly,” “South Pacific,” “Oliver” and “Camelot.” Later, when he had retired from The Dominion Post, he took supernumerary roles in Pittsburgh Opera Productions.
Born in Williamsport, Pa., Ralph grew up in Pittsburgh and graduated from Langley High School before joining the U.S. Navy and serving in the Korean War as a radio operator on a destroyer. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Nancy, and two daughters: Dr. Sarah Kate Brem (Jenefer Husman), of Eugene, Ore., and Rachel Lee Brem, of Wexford, Pa.; sisters-in-law, Kay Brem, of McMurray, Pa., wife of his late brother David, and Janet Mitchell, of Cambridge, Ohio, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and -nephews. Ralph was preceded in death by two brothers, David and Rich, and a sister, Genevieve Sundo.
Ralph’s family is deeply grateful to the staff of The Arbors at St. Barnabas for their caring attention. If you wish to honor Ralph’s memory, please send a contribution in Ralph’s name to St. Barnabas Charities.
All arrangements by Schellhaas Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Ltd., Bakerstown, are private.
