alan teich johnstown pa and alan teich obituary johnstown pa

University of Pittsburgh Mourns Passing of Beloved Psychology Professor

The University of Pittsburgh community grieves the recent loss of Dr. Alan Teich, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, following his death late last week. Dr. Teich spent over 35 illustrious years educating and empowering countless students while creating an enduring legacy of academic contribution as well as compassionate community leadership.

As colleagues, alumni and regional civic partners process immense sorrow over his absence, Teich’s spirit of scholarship and selflessness shines on through transformed lives standing as monumental testament despite physical form fading abruptly.

Revered Educator

Since 1987 when he first arrived at the Johnstown campus as an assistant psychology professor, Alan Teich stood out as a supremely gifted academic guiding inquisitive minds. Students and faculty alike gravitated towards Teich as both generous mentor and genial sage throughout his ascent to full professor status.

Alongside the classroom, Teich also coached the school's club lacrosse squad for years while spearheading beloved campus organizations such as Psi Chi Honor Society as longtime faculty advisor. Two separate occasions, the esteemed educator earned Teacher of the Year distinctions.

However a seasoned list of formal accolades only begins framing Teich's influence. Above all students acclaimed his profound inspiration illuminating career paths and purpose during maturation into adulthood even long after commencement ceremonies concluded. In simplest essence, hundreds of lives shine brighter thanks to Teich lighting the way forward.

From The Office Of The President : Pitt-Johnstown Mourns the Loss of Professor Dr. Alan H. Teich

It is with great sadness that we announce that Dr. Alan H. Teich, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Pitt-Johnstown, passed away at his home this past weekend. “Dr. Teich was a beloved, excellent, and caring teacher, researcher, mentor, counselor, lacrosse coach and colleague. Equally important, Dr. Teich was a highly-engaged and active community citizen and leader who gave his all. His impact was felt on a wide range of organizations and community initiatives, such as the HUGS (Help, Understanding, Guidance and Support) program, President of the Beth Shalom Congregation, board member for Victim Services, UPJ’s lacrosse team, and the Johnstown Concert Ballet where he performed in the Nutcracker on Friday evening. For over 35 years, Dr. Teich’s teaching and service transformed students’ lives and set them on the path to life-long success and impact in our community and beyond. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones,” stated Pitt-Johnstown President Dr. Jem Spectar.

Dr. Steven Stern, a colleague of Dr. Teich’s for over twenty years, said “Alan was a favorite professor… his students loved him and found his classes enjoyable. They liked his kindness; they liked his style. He guided hundreds of students into internships that shaped their careers. He was twice awarded the Edward A. Vizzini Teacher of the Year Award in the Natural Sciences. When Dr. Teich retired last spring, students submitted the following testimonials: ‘a phenomenal person who has made an amazing impact on many different people; and optimistic and provides support when a student feels at a loss of direction, whether academically or personally; he simply cares so much about his students and their success and it radiates through him.’ ”

Dr. Teich joined the faculty at UPJ in 1987 as an assistant professor of psychology and natural sciences and was promoted to the rank of associate professor in 1993. Dr. Teich served as the chair of the Department of Psychology, chair of the Division of Natural Sciences, and Vice President for Academic Affairs. He was an engaged member of the faculty, serving as a member of various campus committees and as the faculty advisor of the Psi Chi Honor Society and the Psychology Club.

Dr. Teich was active in his field as an invited presenter at professional conferences and as a scholar. His research into the effects of stress on the human body, experimental pain, and the impact of divorce on children was published in professional journals including Behavioral Brain Research, Behavioral Neuroscience, and Perspectives in Behavioral Medicine. Dr. Teich was also a practicing licensed psychologist.

Dr. Teich received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the State University of New York at Brockport, a master’s degree in experimental psychology from the State University of New York at Geneseo, and his PhD in behavioral medicine from the University of Miami.

The UPJ family extends its deepest condolences to his wife, Diane, his children, Sarah and Dan, family and friends.

Leading By Serving

Beyond profound campus impact spanning over three decades, Teich also immersed himself within the Johnstown community as an agent of support and change through crises small and large alike.

The engaged professor directed his behavior expertise towards creating the community's first domestic violence education and assistance organization thirty years ago. Teich later assisted conceptualizing the Victims Services nonprofit while actively supporting countless additional outreach groups to empower the overlooked.

While Teich's sudden loss leaves behind mass mourning, the ultimate consolation focuses on scores of regional partners and nonprofits fulfilling their missions because one selfless psychologist heeded conscience calling him repeatedly towards servant leadership decades earlier when compassion demanded action.

Carrying The Torch

As the campus and community Alan Teich enriched through legacy service now grapple with his abrupt absence, solace rests in collectively carrying forth the torch through our own spheres of influence to support those who need hope most.

Each small gesture of assistance for marginalized groups advances the profoundly transformative vision Teich actualized so vigorously throughout distinguished career and vaults his light perpetually forward now that the world is darker with his human form vanished. But through Teich's lasting inspiration imprinted onto legion hearts, the future he enabled grows brighter still.