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Frank Robert Dax

April 26, 1950 - May 05, 2017

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Obituary For Frank Robert Dax

April 26, 1950 - May 5, 2017

Dax, F. Robert "Bob" Age 67, of Pittsburgh, formerly of Sewickley, died at home on Friday, May 5, 2017.

Growing up in Sewickley, Bob had an early aptitude for math, earning a BS in Metallurgical Engineering and ME in Materials Science from Carnegie Mellon, then completing all classwork toward a Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at West Virginia University. While a student at CMU, Bob developed his volleyball skills as a 3-time MVP in club volleyball, later traveling for semi-pro volleyball teams and competing in beach volleyball tournaments. Bob ran two marathons, including the 1st Pittsburgh Marathon in 1985. In future years he formed a passion for long-distance cycling, Sudoku puzzles and cerebral computer games. He also enjoyed yearly Myrtle Beach golf trips with fraternity brothers, and bonding with his Corgi, Toby. Bob's career took him to positions with US Steel Corp, ESM Inc., Value Engineering Laboratory (Alexandria, VA), Caterpillar Tractor Corp. (Peoria, IL), Colt Industries/Crucible Research Center, and Cytemp Specialty Steel. While at Crucible, his team was awarded a patent for a cobalt-free high-speed steel, later selected as an IR-100 award winner for 1981. In 1992, Bob joined Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC), spending the next 20 years in management and project development. Many of his projects involved applications for military and industry. Bob contributed to more than 50 articles and gave numerous technical talks, including a presentation at the World Conference on Titanium in Kyoto, Japan. With Pittsburgh as the hub for metal production, Bob was on the executive committee of the Golden Triangle Chapter of the American Society for Metals (ASM), served as chapter president in 1991, and was elected an ASM International Fellow in 2009. For 35 years, Bob spent weekends renovating and managing rental properties, becoming quite a handyman. During the 1980's, he served Pittsburgh Realty Operators and Proprietors (PROPS) as president and mastered the challenges of being a landlord. Bob was the son of the late Frank Andrew Dax and Dorothy Goffus Dax, husband to Kathy Sabec Dax, father to Frank Ryan (Eunice) and Stephanie (Sara); and brother to Barbara Schmidt, Brian Dax and Patricia Schauble. At CMU Bob began a lifetime of involvement in the Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity. From 2008-2015, as Alumni Advisor to the CMU chapter, he mentored countless "True Gentlemen." Bob's efforts were recognized by SAE fraternity's national headquarters (Order of Minerva award) and by Carnegie Mellon with an Alumni Distinguished Service Award in 2014. After Bob was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS) in January 2014, SAE dedicated their annual Donut Dash fundraiser to raise money for LiveLikeLou, a fund of the Pittsburgh Foundation which helps western PA families affected by the disease and supports local ALS research. For the past three years, Donut Dash has set fundraising records for any single fraternity event, uniting administrators from both Carnegie Mellon and Pitt. Bob will be fondly remembered on Oct. 1, 2017, at the upcoming SAE/CMU Donut Dash in Oakland's Schenley Plaza. And, his legacy lives on at the LiveLikeLou Center for ALS Research, where a recently acquired Nikon Confocal A1R Microscope was named in Bob's honor-"the DAX". Friends will be received at the John F. Slater Funeral Home, Inc., 412-881-4100, 4201 Brownsville Road, Brentwood 15227, Wednesday May 10 from 5-8 p.m. and Thursday May 11 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary of the Mount Church on Friday May 12 at 10:00 a.m. Everyone please meet at church. Memorial contributions can be made for ALS research at www.LiveLikeLou.org/donate, or checks payable to University of Pittsburgh (memo: "Live Like Lou ALS Research in Memory of Bob Dax"): Medical & Health Sciences Foundation; University of Pittsburgh; 3600 Forbes Avenue, Ste. 8084; Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Also, memorial contributions may be directed to the ALS Western PA Chapter, at 416 Lincoln Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15209. Please send condolences to www.johnfslater.com.

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Condolences

  • December 11, 2019

    Dave, I just came across your email on the funeral home website following Bob's obituary. Thanks much for your kind message and memories of Bob. I do remember you from CMU, and I keep in touch with many of the brothers from your class. If you're not on the PA-Phi email list, the chapter is celebrating 100 years on CMU campus this weekend. Will look forward to seeing everyone, many of whom were at Bob's funeral in 2017. I don't know if this message will find its way to you, but please feel free to reach out. (412)334-4257 kathydax@yahoo.com. Best wishes for good health to you and your family, Kathy Sabec Dax

  • December 11, 2019

    Dear Kathy, It was heart-breaking to learn that Bob passed away recently after being diagnosed with ALS. ASM wrote a touching memoriam in their Advanced Materials & Processes mag and that's how i got the news. My condolences to you and the family. You may remember me as Father Victor Rochas friend who was Bob's colleague at CTC in the 96-2004 time frame.. Fr. Rocha himself passed away a few years ago in Mumbai with his family. I was hoping to meet Bob in Pittsburgh and i kept thinking of when. I will remember his cheerfulness, sense of humor and positivity. He was a great mentor and manager. I remember very fondly of the ski trips in Lake Tahoe as well as going on Water Rides in Orlando..- he knew how to balance work and life and his presence will be hugely missed. I pray that his soul is at peace and hope you snd the family always cherish the great person he was. Sincerely, Urban de Souza

  • December 11, 2019

    May the Almighty let Bob's soul rest in peace. I remember the good time spent with him during carpooling.

  • December 11, 2019

    Bob was a brother, a friend, and a True Gentleman. May God ever hold him in the palm of his hand.

  • December 11, 2019

    Dear Kathy & Family, We sincerely offer our sympathies. We read the wonderful obituaries about Bob & are so appreciative of knowing more about him. My you find God's Grace & Peace at this difficult time. Fondly, Dale & Susie Mitrik

  • December 11, 2019

    Kathy and family, I am so sorry for you loss. Though I saw Bob seldom through the years, he was a lifelong role model for me. A true "True Gentleman". His impact on so many young lives is a testament to the man he was. He will be in my heart forever.

  • December 11, 2019

    Kathy, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You have so many great memories. Many prayers for you and your family.

  • December 11, 2019

    For years Sue and I exchanged Christmas cards with Bob and Kathy, although we rarely saw each other except occasionally at CMU's Spring Carnival. One day about 15 years ago I bumped into him in the Alcoa Building lobby, and upstairs in his office we shared an hour or two chatting about the old days and old friends and the adventures of the intervening years. It was all as if we were (back at the fraternity house, 30 years earlier) just discussing yesterday. Kathy, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. We are all so proud of, and honored to have known, you and that great guy you married.

  • December 11, 2019

    My deepest condolences to the family. Bob was a fantastic guiding light for our fraternity even during our darkest of times. As advisor, he allowed us to believe in the unthinkable and looking back on it today, he was completely right. I'm glad I had the privilege of learning from him and there is no doubt that much of what he instilled in all of us is alive and well today.

  • December 11, 2019

    Our deepest condolences to your family. We have many pleasant memories of Bob while at CTC. His patience, generosity, and wit will forever bring fond memories to our hearts.

  • December 11, 2019

    Dear Kathy & Family, What else can be said. He was a great friend, fraternity brother and an all around outstanding human being. His presence will never be forgotten. Wishing you our best in this time of grief. Love, Margery Fischbein & Mitch Fried

  • December 11, 2019

    Dear Kathy: My deepest sympathy to you and your family on the loss of Bob. He was an amazing person and his gentle spirit will be sorely missed. My prayers and thoughts are with you all. May the many wonderful tributes to him be a source of comfort to you. Sincerely, Toni Ungaretti

  • December 11, 2019

    I read of Bob's death with deep, deep sorrow. He and I were in SAE at the same time, played on the same volleyball teams, shared many experiences. He reached out to me over the years, but I did not respond to his efforts to connect. That is my loss, and I will carry my regret as a heavy burden. My memories of Bob are decades old. In every one of them, he is smiling, enjoying the moment even in the heat of competition. We do grow and change over the years. I believe Bob's growth in love surpasses my own by a large measure. Please accept my sympathy and prayers in your time of grief. He is at peace who gave so much to so many. DRA

  • December 11, 2019

    Dear Kathy: We pray for you and your family that The Lord will replace your feelings of grief and loss with thanksgiving for Bob's life and with joy in the many memories of him that you cherish. With tons of love, vast amounts of friendship and deepest sympathy, Paul & Barb

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