Bethel Park inducts five into alumni Hall of Fame
Bethel Park High School inducted five new members into its Alumni Hall of Fame. The group included an accomplished musician, a former law enforcement official, NFL official, oceanographer, and dentist.
Sgt. Charles Bonczek was inducted posthumously. A 1963 graduate, he pursued a career in law enforcement with the Bethel Park Police Department, and devoted his time to the elementary schools as a Police Pal. He also instructed at the Police Citizens Academy.
Bonczek merited distinction because of his passion for serving the community and his strong roots in Bethel Park.
Bob Waggoner spent two decades as an NFL official, working in Super Bowls XL, LIX, as well as many playoff assignments. He was heavily involved with college lacrosse, having worked the 2004 NCAA D-1 finals.
A 1969 graduate, he 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.
Additionally, Waggoner is an active contributor and wish granter for the Make A Wish Foundation.
Dr. Robert S. Detrick Jr. graduated summa cum laude from Lehigh University, earned a masters degree from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and a doctorate in marine geophysics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Later, he headed the Earth Sciences Division at NSF and NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research.
A 1967 graduate, Detrick 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 graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pittsburgh Dental School before returning to Bethel Park to open his dental practice.
The 1971 alum 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.
Dobos 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.
After graduating from Bethel Park in 1984, Kathleen Melucci earned degrees from the Eastman School of Music and Mannes College of Music. 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) and Youth Chamber Connection.
Melucci holds principal cello positions with Pittsburgh’s Pittsburgh Opera Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra. She also maintains a private cello studio. A committed Suzuki teacher, she has taught students ages 2 to 70, believing passionately in the importance of music.
The Bethel Park Alumni Hall of Fame was founded in 2013 to recognize and honor 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 BP high school principal Joseph Villani. “This group of 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 induction ceremony is held in conjunction with the National Honor Society’s induction ceremony, with the honorees offering advice to their younger counterparts.
The inductees were presented with a copy of the plaques that are now on display in the lobby and a Great Alumni Hall of Fame medal and pin.
Nominations are open for the 2024 Alumni Hall of Fame. More details on qualifications and how to nominate a candidate can be found at www.bpsd.org/hsAlumni.aspx. Nomination deadline is Nov. 1.