J. Daniel Harbaugh

J. Daniel Harbaugh--family man, veteran, pilot, gentleman--died peacefully in Port

St. Lucie, Florida, on November 21. He was 83 years old.

Dan was an exceptional and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was a gentleman through and through, in his generosity and concern for others, and in his picture-perfect appearance. Anyone who met him soon knew of the love he had for his wife and three sons.

Dan was born on March 11, 1942, in Neville Island, a township on the Ohio River near Pittsburgh, to parents James and Martha (Young) Harbaugh. Well into adulthood, he liked to joke that he'd been born "on an island," his humorous approach to describing the steel town where he grew up. He graduated from Neville Island High School in 1960.

Immediately following high school, Dan entered a career of service. From 1960 to 1965, he served in the United States Air Force as a member of the military police. He then returned to Pennsylvania, where he worked as a police officer in Mount Lebanon from 1965 to 1977.

Dan then took to the skies, working as a pilot until he retired in 2009. For twenty years, he was chief pilot at Scaife Flight Operations in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.

He retired in 2009 to Boynton Beach, Florida, and returned to his previous line of work as a volunteer with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office for three years.

He stayed curious throughout his entire life, learning about new technology and always quick to ask a question to learn more. His love of golf led he and his wife, Fran, to the PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, where Dan was also a member of the Legacy golf and tennis club in PGA Village.

He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Martha Harbaugh.

Dan is survived by his loving wife, Frances Harbaugh, as well as sons Scott Harbaugh (Christina) of Pittsburgh; Todd Harbaugh of Pittsburgh; and Brad Harbaugh (Caroline) of Virginia. He is also survived by stepson James Chester (Lindzey) of North Carolina; sister Marsha Hartz (Lou) of Arizona; and brother Mark Harbaugh (Gerry) of West Virginia. He was a loving and proud father and grandfather to eight grandsons, one granddaughter, and a granddaughter on the way.

Arrangements will be private.

In lieu of flowers, and in honor of our nation's veterans, please make a donation in memory of Dan to Veterans Place Pittsburgh, an organization that serves the local community of veterans in more ways than one. You can make donations online or contact the office at 945 Washington Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15206. Phone: 412-363-0500. Website: www.veteransplaceusa.org