Albert Stephen Hurbanek

January 23, 2025 – Albert Stephen Hurbanek, 89, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2025, at the H. John Heinz III Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA. He was born in Pittsburgh, PA, on March 7, 1935, the son of the late Rose Schury Hurbanek and late Louis Hurbanek. While he lived in several cities around the country throughout his life, Pittsburgh was always his home.
He is survived by his sister, Marilyn Albitz of Pittsburgh, and sister-in-law Susan Hurbanek of Avon Lake, Ohio. He is survived by several nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and their family members who call him "Uncle Al", including nieces and nephews Nancy Grden, Thomas Grden and wife Patricia Grden, Kathleen Bennett, Carol Carter, Gary Hurbanek and wife Ronda Hurbanek, Linda Burke, David Albitz and wife Kathy Albitz, Jeffrey Albitz and wife Daneen Albitz, Jason Hurbanek, MD, and wife Jennie Hurbanek, and Shana Hurbanek (deceased).
Al was a US Army Veteran, and he attended the US Army Intelligence School, then served in military intelligence and related assignments. He attended the University of Pittsburgh where he studied chemical engineering and mathematics. During his career, Al held various positions across the country related to nuclear and chemical engineering, operational quality assurance, and third party overview and evaluation. He held numerous certifications from the American Welding Society, American Society for Metals, and other organizations.
Al loved sports, especially the Pitt Panthers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Pittsburgh Penguins. He enjoyed boating and fishing for relaxation and including family members at Youghiogheny River. Al was a member of St. Bernard Church, now a part of St. Michael the Archangel Parish. Al "never met a stranger" and had the ability to engage people he came to know along the way for his friendship network.
In particular, Al was fortunate to have the friendship and caring of Sean O'Rourke, especially in recent years. Al's family members can only express gratitude to Sean for his long-term friendship with Al. Sean's niece Lyndsay Kahle has been a great support for Al as well. Al's family also sends a notable thank you to the doctors, nurses, case managers, social workers, and staff at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. You truly provided a caring healthcare support and safety net for him throughout his life, and most recently in his greatest time of need. Al would also want us to thank you, too, for your service to our nation's veterans in Pittsburgh.
A memorial service will be held on February 3, 2025 at 11:30 AM at Beinhauer Funeral Home, 2630 West Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh (Dormont), PA 15216. Family and friends will be received immediately before at 10:30 AM. Burial will be private at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies in Cecil Township, Pennsylvania, for US military veterans.