Herbert F. "Chip" Byrns III

Herbert F. Byrns III ("Chip" as he was sometimes known) passed away on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at his residence. Herb was born to Herbert F. Byrns Jr and Dorothy Katherine Byrns on a fortuitous day in August 1959 at Mount Carmel Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He is survived by Debbie (Wingblade) Byrns, his wife of 37 years and their two children Paige (Sam) of Dayton, Ohio and Sam (Shweta) of Rockville, Maryland. Herb is forever super proud of them and grateful for their love and support. He would have been lost without them. In addition, Herb is survived by his brother Eric and sister Lyndi Kaps and many nieces and nephews.

Raised in Dublin, Ohio when it was mostly farms and woods, Herb attended St. Michael's School in Worthington, Ohio and later Dublin Middle and High Schools graduating in 1977. He then went on to The Ohio State University graduating in 1981. Upon graduation Herb joined the US Navy as a Supply Corps Officer intending on a short stint with the objectives being to serve his Country and see the world. Herb then proceeded to spend the next 24 years in the Navy retiring in 2005 after his final tour as the Commander of the Defense Contract Management Agency, Pittsburgh. In the Navy, he was able to serve his Country and see much of the world, but more importantly he met and worked with thousands of people during those years and was indelibly enriched by the experience. Herb loved the Navy and those with whom he served. After retirement from the Navy, Herb worked in the manufacturing of large motors and pumps, he loved the technology and later worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Pittsburgh as a Government Contracting Officer for the final years of his forty-year career.

Herb and family decided to remain in the Pittsburgh area. They lived in Dorseyville where the kids attended Fox Chapel Schools, and the family were parishioners at St Mary's of the Assumption Parish in Glenshaw. More than anything else, it was the community of friends, developed over years, that kept the family in this region. Herb and Deb downsized in 2018 moving to Oakmont.

For years, Herb had a number of volunteer and other jobs. He volunteered at the Church as a lector and sang in the choir. In addition, he worked as an usher for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust enjoying hundreds of shows during his tenure. He volunteered at community gardens/farms and at the Rosedale food pantry. After retirement Herb worked at Giant Eagle in Verona as a "produce man". Something he enjoyed from his experience in growing things and the local community interaction he had there. Herb had many hobbies and interests over time including geology, astronomy, music (he had an ongoing lover's quarrel with his piano), beekeeping, reading classics, sports, and others. He was also known for offering "life lessons" and mentorship to younger persons (even when not requested). More than anything else, Herb was an ordinary guy, who learned to fully appreciate throughout his life that he was infinitely blessed with humility, empathy, curiosity, resources, health, and the support and help from so many to live a life of continuous learning and giving. He was forever grateful and not at all sad about departing this world knowing full well that he was going somewhere even better. To modify a borrowed quote "he departed the stage of life blessed that he was satisfied, with no pain, or sorrow".

Friends and family are welcome to bid farewell at BURKET-TRUBY FUNERAL HOME, CREMATION AND ALTERNATIVE SERVICES, INC., 421 Allegheny Avenue Oakmont on Friday, December 5, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at Holy Family Parish-St. Joseph's Church in Verona on December 6, 2025, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers he requested donations to GROW Pittsburgh, Rosedale Food Pantry, and/or Holy Family Parish.

The Byrns family would like to extend gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and health care workers that provided treatment to Herb during his fight. A special thank you to Bridges Hospice for giving Herb compassionate and dignified end-of-life care.