Harry Goldby

Harry Charles Goldby, born in Pittsburgh on April 28, 1917, died Sept. 26, 2011, in Carlisle.

Valedictorian of his Clairton High School class, he received his B.A. and M.L. degrees from the University of Pittsburgh and an M.A. from the French School at Middlebury College, Vt. From the University of Paris he had diplomas in French literature and general, historical and experimental phonetics. He also studied art history at the Ecole du Louvre, Paris and piano at the American Conservatory in Fontainebleau, France.

Majoring in languages, his teaching career included 19 years at the University of Pittsburgh, 17 years at Chatham College, one year at the Winchester-Thurston School and six years as visiting instructor at St. Edmund's Academy (all Pittsburgh institutions). He taught in five NDEA summer institutes at Pitt and participated for five years in a FLES program in Pittsburgh and Fox Chapel schools.

For several years he was on the staff of the Paris-American Academy, teaching French civilization during the summer session.

Enjoying a life-long interest in the piano, he studied at the old Pittsburgh Musical Institute and, subsequently, with Ferguson Webster. A frequent participant in Pittsburgh musical activities, he was a member of the University Trio and, as pianist, of the Pittsburgh Flute Club.

For many years he served as accompanist in voice studios in Pittsburgh and New York. During his first two trips to Europe, followed by many more worldwide, he played in the ships' orchestras for passage.

In World War II, 1941-1945, he advanced from private to major. An Army Air Force intelligence officer in Africa and Europe, he was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service.

Retiring in 1983 to Carlisle, he resumed his musical interests and activity, traveled extensively, conducted tours to Pittsburgh and other Western Pennsylvania sites and presented slide travelogues in civic organizations and retirement centers in Central Pennsylvania. He continued his support of cultural institutions in Carlisle, Harrisburg and Pittsburgh.

He is survived by a niece, Mrs. Kathleen B. Nerangis of Winchester, Va., and retired U.S. Navy Capt. Charles Thomas Butler, his nephew, of Phippsburg, Maine.

In Pittsburgh and Carlisle, he attended Presbyterian churches. His last residence in Carlisle, from the year 2000, was at the Church of God Home, where he was warmly received and made welcome.

Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, at the Church of God Home, 801 N. Hanover St., Carlisle. A visitation will be held from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service on Thursday at the home.

Interment will take place in Cumberland Valley Memorial Gardens, Carlisle, where Mr. Goldby will rejoin his sister, Mrs. Dorothy Butler Andrews, also of Pittsburgh and a short-time resident of Carlisle.

Hoffman-Roth Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 219 N. Hanover St., Carlisle is in charge of the funeral arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bosler Memorial Library, 158 W. High St., Carlisle, PA 17013.