NADINE E. BOGNAR

BOGNAR
NADINE E.
Nadine died peacefully on Thursday, January 11, 2018, at Mercy Hospital, just a few days after her 87th birthday, surrounded by the family she loved, daughter, Cynthia Bognar; son, Edwin J. (Ed) Bognar, Jr. with girlfriend, Christine Adams; much-loved grandchildren, Mitchell Bognar, Matthew Beemsterboer and Stephanie Beemsterboer; and longtime assistant, Debra Ray, in the city that loved her. Nadine's warm, generous, and loving spirit will be missed by her many friends, employees, admirers, and all whose lives she touched. For many years, Pittsburghers knew Nadine Bognar best as a successful woman leader in an all-man's world, supplying carbon products for the steel industry. As the Chairman and CEO of Bognar and Company, Inc., she skillfully navigated her family-owned firm through steel's most challenging times. But after years of quiet, yet strategic giving, she also became known as one of Western Pennsylvania's most beloved philanthropists. A native Pittsburgher and daughter of hard-working immigrants, Nadine took special pride in her hometown--its history, parks, theaters, and sports teams--where she lived, worked, and raised her family. Shortly after joining Union Mining Company/Bognar and Co., Inc. in 1950, she met and fell in love with its founder, Edwin J. Bognar. They married and worked as a team. Nadine led the company's administrative operations while her husband led sales and new business development. Upon his death in 1992, she took the helm, and the company continued to prosper. At the same time she nurtured her children, Cynthia and Ed, Jr., she became a tireless volunteer and generous contributor to area charitable organizations including the Senator John Heinz History Center, Pittsburgh Opera, Pittsburgh Symphony, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Civic Light Opera, Cultural Trust, Phipps Conservatory, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, and Carnegie Museums, as well as the UPMC Cancer Center, Leukemia And Lymphoma Society, and many more. Other organizations that benefitted from her generosity and guidance include the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, the Mercy Foundation, and the Pittsburgh Children's Home. Her involvement gave instant credibility to a cause, and she brought her dramatic flair and irresistible joy to events that made her parties the talk of the town. Nadine became one of the region's most influential voices for culture and arts as she served on the boards of the Pittsburgh Public Theater, Pittsburgh Opera, and Senator John Heinz History Center. Her wise counsel and financial support advanced initiatives that help build world class institutions and made Pittsburgh one of America's most livable cities. Many organizations recognized her efforts to heighten awareness of worthy causes. The History Center honored her as a History Maker, Point Park University awarded her an honorary doctorate for her support of the performing arts. She received the Pittsburgh Opera's inaugural Minerva Award and was named Fanfare's Woman of the Year in 2000 and 2001. And, at its annual benefit in 2009, The Leukemia And Lymphoma Society of Western Pennsylvania recognized her for her own successful battle against leukemia. She was a fighter and epitomized that can-do spirit that is part of Pittsburgh's DNA. Arrangements by BEINHAUER, 724-941-3211. Family and friends will be received Thursday, January 18, 2018, from 6-8 p.m., Friday, January 19, 2018, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at 2828 Washington Road, McMurray, PA 15317. The funeral will be on Saturday, January 20, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. Mt. Lebanon United Lutheran Church, 975 Washington Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15228 (EVERYONE PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH). In lieu of flowers, donations to the John Heinz History Center, Pittsburgh Public Theater or Hillman Cancer Center are greatly appreciated. Please add or view tributes at:
www.beinhauer.com