Thomas Arlie Schelat

Thomas Arlie Schelat, age 68, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2018, at his home nestled in the Cascade Mountains located outside Seattle, Washington, surrounded by love, after a two year illness. He faced his illness with grace, strength and optimism. Tom was a wonderful person who possessed deep compassion and understanding, generosity and kindness, and engaging charm and wit. He was taken from the world all too soon and will be forever missed by those who loved him. Tom was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on September 13, 1949, raised in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, and graduated from West Mifflin South High School. He then went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Industrial Administration from Carnegie Mellon University and the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University, respectively. While at Carnegie Mellon, Tom joined the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, and thereupon formed friendships that, to this day, are cherished by all that had the privilege of his brotherhood. Tom's early professional career included engineering positions at Dravo Corporation and Rockwell International in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Later he accepted a position at Amvest Corporation in Charlottesville, Virginia. Tom's career at Amvest included being the company's Chief Financial Officer and culminated in him being the President and Chief Executive Officer. Tom retired in 2007 and thereafter thoroughly enjoyed his retirement, much deserved leisure, passions, travel and adventure. Twenty four years ago, in 1994, while in Charlottesville, Tom met Perri K. Seymour. They married three years later. They spent the past 21 years enjoying a wonderful and blessed marriage, while working in their respective careers, traveling, enjoying their many interests and time spent with friends and family. During Tom's retirement he took great pleasure accompanying Perri on photography trips. He was part of the creative process, nurturing her passion and watching her take her craft on its eventual progression to professional photography. He was very proud of her accomplishments. In addition to their home near Seattle, Perri and Tom also enjoyed a home in Pittsburgh. When in residence at their Pittsburgh home, they were avid attendees and supporters of the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Pittsburgh Opera, stage productions and many other cultural events. And being a Pittsburgh native, Tom was a passionate fan of the Pirates, Steelers, Penguins, and Pitt football and basketball. In addition to his wife Perri, Tom is survived by his mother Mary Lois Schelat, his sister Amy Rothrock, his brother Donald Schelat, his niece and nephew Erin Sanchez and Sean Rothrock, his aunt Carol Begandy, and the many other relatives and friends who knew and loved him. Tom was preceded in death by his father Donald Schelat and his younger brother Eric Schelat. Funeral arrangements were private. It is requested that memorial gifts be made to The Thomas Arlie and Perri K Schelat Charitable Giving Fund at the Pittsburgh Foundation to support the charitable causes that Tom cared about in his city and beyond. Please click the link provided to the Pittsburgh Foundation for details on making a gift in Tom's memory by clicking here.