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WHEREAS, Robert R. Lavelle was born on October 4, 1915 in Cleveland, Tennessee, was the sixth or eight children, who lived most of his life in Pittsburgh and was educated through his Master of Letters Degree at the University of Pittsburgh and received honorary Doctorates from Geneva College and Gordon College; and
WHEREAS, Robert R. Lavelle married his beloved wife Adah Moore Lavelle 67 years ago and had two sons, Robert M. Lavelle, John F. Lavelle and two grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Robert R. Lavelle followed his three years in the military, honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant, by beginning Lavelle Real Estate, a real estate firm, in the Hill District and joining the Board of Directors of the closing Dwelling House Building and Loan, rescuing and growing the bank while moving through its ranks as Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, remaining with the bank for over fifty years; and
WHEREAS, Robert R. Lavelle, using the Sherman and Clayton antitrust laws, filed a suit against the all white local realtors multi-list group and won paving the way for all Black and other minorities across the country to join multi-list real estate groups; and
WHEREAS, Robert R. Lavelle was a well respected and well known community leader who served with many community groups and on many community boards including the Director Emeritus of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, a Life Member of the Salvation Army, served on the Pittsburgh Chapter Board and First Vice President of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, a Board Member of the Urban League of Pittsburgh, the University of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business and the Pittsburgh Symphony Society; and
WHEREAS, Robert R. Lavelle passed away peacefully on July 4, 2010 and will always be remembered not only as a great and scholarly businessman, servant of the community, loving husband, father and grandfather, but will also be remembered for his devotion to God's word, serving as an Elder for many years, teaching Sunday School, leading the Wednesday night Bible Study and Worship Service leader at Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church;
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that this Council does hereby recognize, appreciate and celebrate the life, the wisdom, the career of Robert R. Lavelle and the care he had for his family, his employees, his clients and his community - all that he accomplished in both his public career and private life; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Council, certainly joining this City, are deeply saddened by the passing of this wonderful man and grandfather of City Councilman R. Daniel Lavelle hereby express our grief and extend our sympathy to his family, friends, and coworkers.