Arthur T. "Ted" Breuer, Jr.

Arthur T. “Ted” Breuer, Jr., 85, of Ford City, died Monday, January 13, 2024, at his residence.

Born November 22, 1939, in Armstrong County Memorial Hospital in Kittanning, he was the son of the late Arthur T. Breuer, Sr., and Grace C. (Sewell-Murphy) Breuer.

He attended St. Mary’s School, Ford City, and graduated from Ford City High School in 1958. He continued his education at Clarion University of Pennsylvania and Penn State University.  Ted was retired from Allegheny Ludlum Corporation (now ATI) and served as the company’s corporate manager of safety, health, and regulatory compliance. 

He served on a number of safety standards committees over his 38 years in the safety and fire protection fields.  Ted was a member of the National Fire Protection Association and served on its industrial committee. He was a safety intern supervisor and instructor at IUP since the inception of its safety science programs.  Ted was a member of the American Society of Safety Engineers and the Health Physics Society.

For 50 years Mr. Breuer was affiliated with the Ford City Hose Co. No. 1 where he served as secretary for 26 years.  He was also a member of its firemen’s relief association in which he continued to serve as its secretary.  Having also served as a paramedic for Ford City ambulance service, he was particularly proud to say he delivered seven babies in the field. Ted was the first president and charter member of the newly formed Armstrong County Emergency Medical Council, founded in 1974.  In addition, he served on the National Emergency Response Team.  For 25 years he was active with the Armstrong County Emergency Management Team, responding to a number of large incidents in Western Pennsylvania.  Likewise, he was a state and county fire, Haz-Mat, and EMS instructor, his specialty being in the areas of structural and industrial firefighting.  He was a member of the Armstrong County Firemen’s Association, the Western Pennsylvania Firemen’s Association, and the Pennsylvania State Firemen's Association.  Ted also held membership in the German American Firefighters Association of the Philadelphia Fire Department. 

Mr. Breuer had been associated with the Boy Scouts of America.  While working at Allegheny Ludlum, he served as an explorer adviser for the company’s engineering explorer post, which was made up of seven high schools in the Allegheny Valley.  He also served as a vice-president and emeritus board member for the Armstrong County Progressive Workshop for over 35 years.  In his retirement he served as a volunteer safety engineer for Armstrong County Memorial Hospital and also worked at Welch Funeral Home in Ford City. 

His memberships included the Ford City Sportsmen’s Association, the Kittanning Elks Lodge No. 202, the Ford City Fraternal Order of Eagles (Aerie 606), and the American Legion.  He was also an active and emeritus member of the board of the Armstrong County Sports Hall of Fame. Ted lived in Ford City all his life and was a member of Christ, Prince of Peace Parish.  He was a charter member of the Ford City Garden Club and served on the advisory board of the Ford City High School Alumni Association.  In 2011 he was inducted into the Ford City Area Hall of Fame.

Mr. Breuer served in the Army National Guard and served as a supply and ordinance officer.  Mr. Breuer was an avid basketball fan, having played in high school and college.  He enjoyed rifle and trap shooting, fishing, woodworking, gardening, traveling, and being with family and friends.  Ted was a great storyteller and a loyal, wise, amazing man who was loved by so many people.

He is survived by his wife and his high school sweetheart, Janet E. (Salankiewicz) Breuer,  whom he married on June 22, 1963,  his daughter, Dr. Gwen Breuer, brothers-in-law, Dr. Harold “Hal” Altman and Robert Salankiewicz, nieces and nephews: Dr. Sarah (Dr. Ali Siavashi) Altman, Alison (Amir) Shahravar, Bobby (Maria) Salankiewicz, Lee Ann (Mike) Matyas, and Diane Salankiewicz, and great-nieces and nephews: Mark, Matt, and Max Salankiewicz, Natalie, Lucas, and Nicholas “Nicky” Shahravar, and Emma and Hannah Siavashi.  He is also survived by many cousins in the Breuer/Corrin family: Ruth Adele, Adele, Brian, Eric, Stan, and children, and many friends and angels who have helped to care for Ted over the past few years.

In addition to his parents, Ted was preceded in death by sisters-in-law, Stephanie "Fifi" (Salankiewicz) Altman and Dorothy Salankiewicz.

Friends will be welcomed from 4-9 p.m., Friday, at Welch Funeral Service, LLC, 1032 Fourth Ave., Ford City.  Parting prayers will be offered at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, in the funeral home, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 2 p.m., at Christ, Prince of Peace Church, with the Very Rev. Eric J. Dinga, V.F., as celebrant.  Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery.  To share memories or condolences, please visit www.welchfh.com.

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