Obituary: Barbara Ruth Schlaerth Biglan, PhD (1944-2026)

A Life of Intellect and Artistry: Remembering Dr. Barbara Schlaerth Biglan

Dr. Barbara Ruth Schlaerth Biglan, a dedicated educator and accomplished artist whose career spanned academic leadership and international cultural exchange, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 6, 2026, at the age of 82. According to the Burket-Truby Funeral Home, her life was defined by a commitment to both the rigor of science education and the expressive potential of the fine arts.

Born in Buffalo, New York, on November 2, 1944, to John N. and Margaret Heath Schlaerth, Barbara’s path was marked by a lifelong pursuit of learning. After graduating from Nardin Academy, she earned her Bachelor of Science from Le Moyne College in 1965. Her academic journey continued at the University of Buffalo, eventually culminating in a Ph.D. in Science Education from the University of Pittsburgh. It was at the University of Pittsburgh where she joined the faculty, a role that took her to Tallinn, Estonia, to examine the education systems of the era.

International Perspectives and Academic Leadership

The arc of Dr. Biglan’s career was as global as it was local. She accompanied her husband, Dr. Albert W. Biglan, to Bamberg, Germany, where she volunteered as an educator for children on the local military installation. This period of living abroad became a recurring theme in her life; she and her husband returned to the region multiple times, even presenting one of her original paintings to the mayor of Bamberg.

Upon returning to the United States, she pivoted toward institutional development. She was instrumental in establishing computer programs at Shadyside Academy’s Junior School campus and later served as a principal investigator for a federal STEM grant at Chatham College. Her leadership extended to Wheeling, West Virginia, where she served as Head of School for the Wheeling Country Day School for eight years. Her colleagues and mentors, including Mark Fleming, helped refine her artistic practice during this time—a pursuit that transitioned from an avocation to a prolific post-retirement career in oils, watercolors, and pastels.

A Legacy of Service and Resilience

Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Biglan was deeply embedded in the community of St. Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh, which she and her husband joined in 1968. Her involvement ranged from teaching religious education to coordinating weddings and serving on the governing board of Oakland Catholic School. Her dedication to her family was a constant, even as she faced significant personal health challenges.

Dr. Biglan was a survivor of metastatic breast cancer for two decades, a fight she undertook with the singular goal of seeing her grandsons, Alexander and Michael, receive their educations. In her later years, she navigated a diagnosis of dementia. Her family, particularly her husband Albert and daughter Margaret, provided the support that allowed her to remain at home as long as possible before she transitioned to specialized residential care at Woodside Place. The family has expressed profound gratitude to the staff at both Woodside Place and the Willows for their attentive care.

Arrangements for Remembrance

Visitation is scheduled at the Burket-Truby Funeral Home, located at 421 Allegheny Ave., Oakmont, PA, on Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and on Sunday, November 15, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Saint Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh on Monday, November 16, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., followed by burial at the Cemetery of the Alleghenies. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be directed to Saint Paul Cathedral or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Obituary: Barbara Ruth Schlaerth Biglan, PhD (1944-2026) — Photo: legacy.com

Dr. Biglan’s life serves as a reminder of the impact one individual can have across disparate fields, from the structured environment of a university laboratory to the intimate canvas of a personal portrait. Her journey reflects a generation of academics who balanced the demands of institutional advancement with the quiet, persistent work of community building and family life.

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