Alfred Edward Lawson

1929 - 2016

LAWSON Alfred Edward Lawson Jr. "Al" Age, 87, of Washington DC and Indian Lake PA, formerly of Pittsburgh, PA died peacefully Monday, July 4, 2016 in Gaithersburg, Maryland. He is survived by his friend and companion of many years, Lee Davidson Smith of Washington DC, his children Barbara (Thom), Karl (Raquel), Erica (Alex), Diana (Stefan) and his brother Richard Lawson and family. He is also survived by his ex-wife Louise Walsh Lawson and his grandchildren David, Eric, Adria, Vanessa, Robby, Laurel, Katrina and Eric and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Al was born to Alfred Edward Lawson and Violet Marjorie Lawson on June 23, 1929 in Altoona, PA. He graduated from Stowe High School in Pittsburgh in 1947. While at Stowe, his nickname was "The Brain." After graduating from Stowe, he enrolled in the University of Pittsburgh as an evening school student. He graduated from Pitt Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa in 1954 after a two-year interruption for military service in the Korean War. He continued his education at Harvard Law School on a full scholarship, graduating in 1957. His professional career focused on labor union representation and he spent nearly two decades as an attorney for the United Steelworkers in Pittsburgh. In 1978, he was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to serve a six year term as a charter member of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission. He also served as Arbitration Director for the Maryland Attorney General. He was a longtime member of the University of Pittsburgh''s Board of Trustees and he sat on many other boards and associations throughout his life. Al was an avid reader, passionate about swimming, a staunch Democrat and active in politics. He loved fishing, telling bad jokes, following ice hockey (the Penguins and the Capitals), playing bridge and he especially enjoyed spending time at Oxtongue Lake in Ontario, Canada with his family and friends. He loved his dogs, especially Della and Lizzie, who were great companions to him in his later years. A memorial service will be held on August 27 at 11 a.m. at the AFL-CIO headquarters at 815 16th Street NW, Washington, DC. Al believed strongly in the power of education and established a scholarship fund in 2002 at his former high school, Stowe. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the fund: A.E. Lawson Sto-Rox Scholarship Fund, Sto-Rox School District, 600 Russelwood St. McKees Rocks, PA 15136. A memorial service will be held on August 27 at 11 a.m. at the AFL-CIO headquarters at 815 16th Street NW, Washington, DC. Al believed strongly in the power of education and established a scholarship fund in 2002 at his former high school, Stowe. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the fund: A.E. Lawson Sto-Rox Scholarship Fund, Sto-Rox School District, 600 Russelwood St. McKees Rocks, PA 15136.