Richard D. Petro

Richard D. Petro, age 80, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 21, 2025. He is survived by his beloved wife, Sally (Reisacher) Petro, brother-in-law Carl Reisacher, two children, nephews, and by the many friends who became chosen family and loved him as an adopted brother or father. He was predeceased by his parents, Michael and Elizabeth Petro and by his siblings and their spouses, Nick (Barbara) Petro, Eve Petro, Elizabeth (Michael) Babyak, and David Petro. Rich was also predeceased by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Raymond and Mary Louise Reisacher.

Born in Niles, Ohio, Rich received his degree in Industrial Engineering at Tri- State College (now Trine University) in Indiana. After working in the steel and automotive industries, he went into business in Cleveland, opening a printing business. After moving to Pittsburgh in 1997, he began working with his father-in-law managing rental property.

Rich was a teddy bear and a giant of a man. He exuded joy, and his love of the Lord radiated from him to everyone he knew as he enveloped them in his huge, wonderful "Pooh" hugs and assured them of his love and care every time he was with them. He made everyone he met feel special and appreciated. Rich printed up business "Love Cards" featuring a big red heart and a saying from his father, "If no one told you today they love you, I do," and he gave away tens of thousands of those cards to people everywhere he went,

Throughout his life, Rich honored the love he had for his parents and grandmother by following their guidance to become a respectful and generous man. He lived out his love for his mother- and father-in-law by initiating a move to Pittsburgh so that he and Sally could help care for her parents. Rich loved nature and animals and relished the adventures he and Sally enjoyed, including bird and wildlife watching, giving an elephant a bath, patting a beluga whale on the tongue, being Honorary Duck Master at the Peabody Hotel, taking a falconry class, and watching his beloved bald eagles flying overhead. Rich especially loved children and was never so happy as to have the chance to hold a baby or to be around little ones.

All are welcome on Friday, November 28, 2025 from 1-5 PM, WILLIAM SLATER II FUNERAL SERVICE, 1650 Greentree Rd., Scott Twp., 412-563-2800. His funeral service will take place Saturday, November 29, 2025, 1 PM, Unity Presbyterian Church, 1146 Greentree Road. Everyone please meet at church. Interment private.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Children's Ministry at Unity Presbyterian Church, 1146 Greentree Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15220 or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

You can livestream Richard's Funeral Service on the Unity Presbyterian Church Facebook page. 

www.slaterfuneral.com