Richard "Rich" A. Lamanna

Richard A. Lamanna, a distinguished chemist, devoted father, and dedicated environmental advocate, passed away on May 30, 2026, in Dayton, Ohio. Born on May 24, 1947, in Vandergrift, Pennsylvania, Rich grew up in an Italian, coal-mining family.

Rich was the first in his family to attend college, graduating from Grove City College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry in 1969. That same year he began working at Mobil Chemical, in Pittsburgh, PA as a Lab Technician. He would stay with the company for forty years, through its acquisition by Valspar in the 1980s, advancing into leadership roles. He finally retired in 2009 as Technical Director at Valspar. Throughout his career, Rich made significant contributions to the field of chemical coatings, holding numerous patents.

It was through his job at Mobil that he met Nancy McBride, a Lab Technician, who would become his wife in 1979. They spent 46 years together and had two children, daughter Christine Lamanna and son Mark Lamanna.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Rich was deeply passionate about environmental conservation. Throughout his life, he donated regularly to environmental and wildlife charities, such as The Nature Conservancy and Defenders of Wildlife. He was a founding board member of the International Wildlife Coexistence Network, an NGO dedicated to fostering innovative solutions to human-wildlife conflict and wolf conservation. Together with his beloved wife Nancy, he also established a Charitable Trust through the Pittsburgh Foundation, dedicated to supporting environmental causes in the United States, and ensuring that his vision of a vibrant natural world with space for wildlife lives on.

Rich was a dedicated sports fan, particularly of baseball. He played baseball from his early years through college and was even scouted by the Cincinnati Reds. Although he never played professionally, he became a lifelong fan of Cincinnati sports, cheering for the Reds and Bengals, much to the dismay of his friends and family in Pittsburgh. Rich fostered a love of sports in his children, and volunteered as a soccer, baseball, and softball coach throughout the years.

Rich is survived by his devoted wife, Nancy, and their two children, Christine and Mark. He also leaves behind numerous extended family members and friends who will remember him for his kindness, intellect, and steadfast commitment to both family and community.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony F. and Josephine D. (California) Lamanna, his brother Anthony Lamanna, Jr., and his sister Delores (Lamanna) Willyard.

A Celebration of Life will be held in McMurray, PA on Thursday July 2, 2026 from 4pm to 8pm at Juniper Grill, 4000 Washington Rd (Rt 19). Family and friends are welcome to stop by anytime to share food and memories. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Rich and Nancy Lamanna Environmental Aegis Fund at the Pittsburgh Foundation.

Richard A. Lamanna’s life was a testament to the American Dream. His contributions to chemistry, his stewardship of environmental causes, and his devotion to his family stand as enduring reminders of his remarkable journey.