Harry A. Thompson II

1935 - 2024

Harry Addison Thompson, II, of Pittsburgh and Rector, died peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Aug. 4, 2024. Harry was born in Pittsburgh on June 28, 1935, the son of the late Robert William Thompson and the late Vivian Coulson Thompson. A native and life-long Pittsburgher, Harry was devoted to his family and his community which, was reflected throughout his very active life and long participation in many Pittsburgh institutions. He gave freely of his time in support of many organizations, distinguished himself through his career as an attorney, and relished the company of family and friends as often as possible. He was an avid supporter of the arts. In Sept. 1964, he married his beloved wife, Jane Arensberg. Janie and Harry had three children, Michael Arensberg Thompson (Elizabeth Perry), Andrew Throckmorton Thompson (Kristiana Farnham) and Diana Savage Thompson; and four grandchildren, Phoebe, Sawyer, Claire and Nolan Thompson. He is also survived by his sister, Roberta T. Johnson (Dr. Edwin B. Jr.), of Louisville, KY and her family. Through his marriage, Harry also became a dear member of Janie's extended family, with whom he enjoyed many excellent adventures. Harry graduated from Wilkinsburg High School in 1953 and earned a BA degree from the University of Virginia in 1957. He was a proud UVA alumnus who supported the university throughout his life. In recent decades, he chaired the regional committee for the Jefferson Scholars Program, recommending local candidates for the prestigious scholarship. After graduating from the University of Virginia, Harry served in the U.S. Army. After an honorable discharge, he returned to the U.S. to study law. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1964. Admitted to the bar in 1965, he served as law clerk for the Honorable Ralph H. Smith, Jr. Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County. He enjoyed multiple roles of leadership in the fields of trust and probate law at PNC and Mellon Bank. In 1989, he was recruited to create a family business office for Mrs. Henry J. Heinz, II and to become manager of the Drue Heinz Trust, a private charitable foundation, from which he retired in July 2000. Throughout his legal career, he was also very active in that community serving for a time as president of the Corporate Fiduciaries Association of Western Pennsylvania, director of the Estate Planning Council of Pittsburgh and vice chair of the Probate and Trust Law section of the Allegheny County Bar Association. He graduated from the National Graduate Trust School at Northwestern University and participated in the Programs for Lawyers at Harvard University. In retirement, Harry qualified as a docent at the Carnegie Museum of Art and actively participated in giving tours of the collections for the next ten years. He simultaneously served as chair of the fellows of the Carnegie Museum of Art. Harry's commitment to his community was reflected in his involvement as a volunteer on the boards of more than one dozen organizations, including as President and long-time fund-raising board member of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra, Chair of the Children's Institute of Pittsburgh, and President of the Board of the Westmoreland Museum of American Art. Memorial gifts may be made to the Children's Institute of Pittsburgh, 6301 Northumberland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 or the Westmoreland Museum of American Art, 221 North Main Street, Greensburg, PA 15601 or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements by JOHN A. FREYVOGEL SONS, INC. (freyvogelfuneralhome.com)