William Rea (real estate magnate)

William Rea (1912–2006) was an American real estate magnate and civic leader in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[1][2][3]

A key collaborator with H. J. Heinz II in the creation of Pittsburgh's Cultural District, he also served in a leadership capacity on the boards of directors of the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, Pittsburgh Public Schools, the University of Pittsburgh, Princeton University and the Heinz Endowments.[4] [5]

Formative years

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1912, Rea was a son of James Childs Rea, the general manager of the Oliver Iron & Steel Company, and Julia Dodge Rea.[6][7]

He grew up in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, attended the Wightman School and the Shady Side Academy, before pursuing history studies at, and then graduating from, Princeton University.[8]

According to his obituary in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, he subsequently "served in the Navy from 1942 to 1945, and was a radar officer on the battleship USS Idaho when Japan signed the surrender on the nearby USS Missouri."[9]

Career

Rea began his career as an English teacher at the American University of Beirut, then took on management roles at Edgewater Steel Company and W. R. Grace and Company. He entered into his real estate development career with the Henry W. Oliver Estate.[10]

Rea also collaborated with H. J. Heinz II in establishing Pittsburgh's Cultural District. A member of the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, he also served on the boards of directors of the Pittsburgh Public Schools,[11] the University of Pittsburgh,[12][13] Princeton University, and the Heinz Endowments.[14][15]

During his later years, Rea lived in Stahlstown, Pennsylvania. [16]

Death

Predeceased by his wife, Ingrid (Shellabarger) Rea, in 2003,[17][18] Rea suffered a heart attack while visiting Washington, D.C. and died there on May 15, 2006.[19]

Honors

In 1974, Rea was the recipient of the distinguished service award from Phelps Dodge Industries.[20]

In 1998, Rea was presented with the Community Service Human Rights Award by the American Jewish Committee.[21]

References

  1. ^ Sally Kalson (2006). Obituary: William Rea, civic leader and one of the Cultural District's creators, dies at 94. Retrieved May 24, 2006.
  2. ^ "Area Uplift Urged on City." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, November 27, 1973, p. 8.
  3. ^ "Budgets Nearly Equal City-County Outlay: Colleges Here Spend $190 Million." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The Pittsburgh Press, April 28, 1971, p. 33.
  4. ^ Sally Kalson (2006). Obituary: William Rea, civic leader and one of the Cultural District's creators, dies at 94. Retrieved May 24, 2006.
  5. ^ "Heinz Trust set up," in "Metro Briefs." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The Pittsburgh Press, May 10, 1984, p. B-1.
  6. ^ Sally Kalson (2006). Obituary: William Rea, civic leader and one of the Cultural District's creators, dies at 94. Retrieved May 24, 2006.
  7. ^ "Julia Rea to Wed J. E. Diamond," in "Summer Engagements." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, July 24, 1976, p. 5.
  8. ^ Sally Kalson (2006). Obituary: William Rea, civic leader and one of the Cultural District's creators, dies at 94. Retrieved May 24, 2006.
  9. ^ Sally Kalson (2006). Obituary: William Rea, civic leader and one of the Cultural District's creators, dies at 94. Retrieved May 24, 2006.
  10. ^ Sally Kalson (2006). Obituary: William Rea, civic leader and one of the Cultural District's creators, dies at 94. Retrieved May 24, 2006.
  11. ^ "William Rea Quits Position On School Board." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, January 30, 1970, Second Section, p. 1.
  12. ^ Moushey, Bill. "Reforms start at Pitt." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, June 14, 1991, pp. 1 and 3.
  13. ^ Carpenter, Mackenzie. "Helped set Posvar package, former Pitt head trustee says." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, June 8, 1991, p. 4.
  14. ^ Sally Kalson (2006). Obituary: William Rea, civic leader and one of the Cultural District's creators, dies at 94. Retrieved May 24, 2006.
  15. ^ Rosensweet, Alvin. "Penn-Liberty project unveiled." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, November 19, 1983, pp. 1 and 4.
  16. ^ Sally Kalson (2006). Obituary: William Rea, civic leader and one of the Cultural District's creators, dies at 94. Retrieved May 24, 2006.
  17. ^ Abels, Caroline. "Founding member of Cultural Trust, champion of Powdermill Nature Reserve," in "News Obituaries." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 26, 2093, p. D-3.
  18. ^ Rea, Ingrid Shellabarger, in "Local News." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 28, 2003, p. B-8.
  19. ^ Sally Kalson (2006). Obituary: William Rea, civic leader and one of the Cultural District's creators, dies at 94. Retrieved May 24, 2006.
  20. ^ "Phelps Dodge salutes Pittsburgh." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The Pittsburgh Press, September 24, 1974, p.22.
  21. ^ "Scribbles." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, June 8, 1998, p. B-2.
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