Bethel Park High School held its annual Alumni Hall of Fame induction ceremony in late March by welcoming in five new members, including an accomplished musician and a former law enforcement official, NFL official, oceanographer, and dentist.
Sergeant Charles Bonczek ‘63 pursued a career in Law Enforcement with the Bethel Park Police Department, where his passion for serving the community grew exponentially. He could serve overtime at football games, Bethel Bakery, or Mall traffic duty. He devoted his time to the elementary schools as a Police Pal and instructing the Police Citizens Academy. He had strong roots in Bethel Park and was steadfast in protecting and serving the community members. His heart bled black and orange for his 39 years of service and every moment of retirement until his 2006 passing.
Bob Waggoner ’69 spent two decades as an NFL official, working in Super Bowls XL, LIX, and many playoff assignments. He was heavily involved with college lacrosse, having worked the 2004 NCAA D-1 finals. Bob served over 30 years as a probation officer with the Toledo Municipal Court, supervising community service programs. He served as the associate supervisor of officials, including the Big Ten Conference, Mid-American Conference, and Missouri Valley Conference. Bob is an active contributor and wish granter for the Make a Wish Foundation.
Dr. Robert S. Detrick Jr. ’67 graduated summa cum laude from Lehigh University, earned an MS from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and a Ph.D. in marine geophysics from MIT and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Later, he headed the Earth Sciences Division at NSF and NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research. He became President of a university consortium supporting seismological research, participated in over 30 shipboard research expeditions, and authored or co-authored over 100 publications. He also received the A.G. Huntsman Award for Excellence in the Marine Sciences.
Dr. Michael A. Dobos ’71 graduated from IUP and Pitt Dental School, returning to Bethel Park to open his dental practice. He served as a member and officer with the Chamber of Commerce, Community Foundation, Bethel Baseball Association, Hockey Boosters, and the Home Rule Charter Review Committee. He worked at Pitt Dental School as an assistant professor and Chair of the Department of Restorative Dentistry. He has been awarded a fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry and induction into Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honorary Dental Society.
Kathleen Melucci ‘84 earned degrees from the Eastman School of Music and Mannes College of Music. She is an active chamber musician, clinician, and educator. She is a member of the Artistic Staff at the Three Rivers Young People’s Orchestras (which she joined at age 10), Youth Chamber Connection. She holds Principal Cello positions with Pittsburgh's Pittsburgh Opera Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra and maintains a private cello studio. A committed Suzuki teacher, she has taught students ages 2 - 70, believing passionately in the importance of music.
The Bethel Park Alumni Hall of Fame was founded in 2013 to recognize and honor Bethel Park High School alumni who have personally or professionally demonstrated outstanding accomplishments since graduation.
Honorees are selected because they either significantly improved the lives of others, contributed significant volunteer or community service, or achieved significant advancement in their professional field.
“We are always excited to welcome back our distinguished alumni and recognize them for all they have accomplished,” said Bethel Park High School principal Joseph Villani. “This group of Alumni Hall of Fame inductees represents the best in character, charity, and accomplishments in both their personal and professional lives; and they embody our recently adopted school motto of, ‘Built on tradition, focused on the future.’”
The annual Alumni Hall of Fame induction ceremony is in conjunction with the National Honor Society’s (NHS) induction ceremony, with the honorees offering advice to their younger counterparts.
“We pair this program with the NHS induction ceremony because the qualifications for each align closely,” said Villani. “It is an incredible opportunity for our current students to hear directly from those who preceded them as they reflect on what qualities it took for them to reach their goals. It is really special because the alumni have sat in the same seats and come from the same community.”
The inductees were each presented with a copy of the plaques now on display in the lobby and a Great Alumni Hall of Fame medal and pin.
More information on the Alumni Hall of Fame and how to nominate a candidate
can be found on the district’s website. Nominations are always due by Nov. 1.