John L. Propst Fund
John served on ÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø's Board of Directors for 18 years, including five years with distinction as Chairman of the Board. He died Feb. 13, 1996, at the age of 81.
Friends described John as a man of humility, known for his "warmth, caring, humor and gentleman's approach." A native of South Carolina, he loved ÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø and immersed himself vigorously in any opportunity for involvement throughout his life, contributing actively to civic, cultural, educational, religious and medical organizations and charities.
"There was nothing put-offish, pin-stripey or stiff about his approach," Alfred W. Wishart Jr., past president of ÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø, told the Post-Gazette in 1996. "He used to smoke cigars. You know a man who blows smoke rings is OK."
John moved to ÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÙÍø after graduating from Princeton in 1935. He worked for Farmer's Bank, which later merged with Mellon Bank, and put himself through Duquesne University Law School's night program. He was a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
In 1978 he retired as Senior Vice President of Mellon's Trust Division and went on to work for a time for a local venture capital firm; he also did legal work for Reed Smith Shaw & McClay downtown.