We truly missed him as great, funny Physical Education teacher who are loyalty to WPSD for 34 years from 1978 till June 2012 retirement.
From Don Rhoten’s words in Facebook:
The WPSD Family mourns the loss of one of our finest, Mr. Dan Emerick. Dan retired last year after working more than 30 years as a PE teacher. He was loved by his coworkers and students and,in turn, cared about and supported them. He was kind, humble and a very sweet person. A gentle giant who always had a smile and a kind word. I never heard anyone say a cross word about Dan….he was that great a person.
Dan loved WPSD and was one of our biggest boosters. He recently established a facebook page for retirees and posted pictures of them and scenes from WPSD. He took his job seriously and was very proud of the school.
Dan was a CODA who adored his parents. He was responsible for establishing the Western Pennsylvania Deaf Senior Citizens group. He spent countless hours in support of this group, even after his parents passed away.
He was heroic in his battle against cancer, His courage and strength was an inspiration for all of us. He showed us how to deal with it with grace and humility. After he beat the cancer, he made wellness of our students and staff a priority and each week submitted health hints to our newsletter for staff to read.
Dan was an amazing person with a great capacity and ability to care for others, but, his deepest and infinite love was for his wonderful wife and daughter. He was extremely proud of the fact his daughter was entering medical school…he adored her, just as he adored his wife Nancy. Whenever they attended school functions, they looked like newlyweds…their love was so deep.
We love Dan Emerick and will miss him greatly. We know that he’s in Heaven with his beautiful mom and dad. WPSD is a little less special without him.
Our deepest condolences to his family……
Don Rhoten
Accountable, Respect, Compasion, Ready, and SafeEMERICK DANIEL C., JR. Age 57 of West View on Thursday Jan. 24, 2013 due to the sudden onset of a debilitating illness. Beloved husband of Nancy (Pfister) Emerick, dedicated and loving father of Shannon L. Emerick. Brother in law of Jack and Connie Pfister. Also survived by nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel C. Sr. and Eleanor (Davis) Emerick. Dan was a teacher at the Western Pa. School for the Deaf for 34 years and was a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. Family will receive friends Sunday 2-7 PM at T.B. Devlin Funeral Home, 806 Perry Hwy. North Hills. Mass of Christian Burial in Assumption Church, Bellevue, Monday at 10:00 AM. EVERYONE PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Western Pa. School for the Deaf, 300 Swissvale Ave. Pgh, Pa. 15218 or Univ. of Pgh Athletics, Panther Club, 412-648-8889.