Judge R. Stanton Wettick

The Hon. R. Stanton "Tony" Wettick, a much-respected and much-admired Common Pleas Court Judge for 40 years, died on Saturday, December 21 at the age of 86. Judge Wettick graduated in economics from Amherst College in 1960 and went on to Yale Law School. After Yale he joined the Pittsburgh law firm now known as K&L Gates, leaving after three years to join the faculty of the University of Pittsburgh Law School, later becoming an adjunct for the law school, a position he held for decades. In 1969 he joined the local branch of the federally funded Neighborhood Legal Services as its executive director. It was at NLS that Judge Wettick's lifelong passion for defending the rights of the poor and minorities took off, most notably his role in the eventual formation of the Woodland Hills School District. In 1976, Judge Wettick began his tenure with the Court of Common Pleas, serving in Family Court for 14 years, ten of them as the administrative judge, before moving to the Civil Division, where he remained for the next 26 years. Although he was known as the county's hardest working judge, he usually managed to leave the courthouse at 4:30 to play tennis, which he did with skill and determination, stopping only this summer. He always wanted to share his passions with his friends and families. He spent time playing sports with each of his children, making sure they could throw properly and encouraging all of their athletic pursuits. His children and grandchildren also benefited from his love of the zoo and fondly remember a lot of time spent in the monkey house. He was an avid reader, often reading multiple books at a time, and kept lists of his favorite books to share with others. He'd hand books to others when he was done, not always realizing that not everyone appreciated the long and sometimes dry books he enjoyed. Judge Wettick was very much a Pittsburgher. He grew up a Pirates and Steelers fan and for years, held season tickets to University of Pittsburgh basketball. Curiously, his interest in sports stayed close to home. If no Pittsburgh team were involved, he wasn't much interested. He had a similar passion for theater, Barebones, City, Quantum, Irish and Classical, Public were all favorites. He very much loved his family and especially loved spending time with them at their primitive Chappaquiddick house. He leaves behind his wife, Dr. Nancy Hazlett, and three children: Brett Wettick, of Brooklyn, NY (Amy Vennema}; Dr. Elizabeth (Lissa) Wettick of Point Breeze (Nick Thompson); and Katie Wettick of Bloomfield (Michael Wettick) A fourth child, Caroline, died in 2000. He also leaves behind four grandchildren Rebecca Wettick; Mariel Wettick; Max Thompson and Gwendolyn Thompson; and a sister, Liz Huston of Cleveland. His sister Harriet Kudlo predeceased him. A private burial service and celebration of life is planned for later this spring. Friends are invited to make contributions in his name to the Women's Center and Shelter of Pittsburgh, where he was a board member for 33 years, Neighborhood Legal Services, and Barebones Productions or your favorite local theater. Arrangements by John A. Freyvogel Sons, Inc. (freyvogelfuneralhome.com)
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