RIVERS PHILIP ETHAN Age 77, passed away Tuesday, November 21, 2017 following a sudden brain aneurysm. Born in Columbus, OH and raised near Greensburg, PA, Philip spent much of his early career as a safety engineer. His children will recall bikes with flags, driving the speed limit, and always walking on the left side of the road. His passion as an educator led him to become a professor of Safety Sciences at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a position he held for nearly three decades. As a professor at IUP he was a pioneer in active learning techniques and taught many undergraduate and graduate students who considered him a mentor, earning him an award for excellence in teaching. Philip enjoyed spending time with his family, meditating, gardening, cooking vegetarian meals, reading, writing, learning, and teaching. He was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity, board member of the Sandy Weymouth Foundation and attended the Unitarian Universalist Church in Indiana, PA, and the Pittsburgh Buddhist Center. His friends and family will remember him as an authentic, gentle, and kind-hearted person, always willing to listen to and be supportive of others. Philip expressed love and praise for his family and friends openly. His calm and reassuring presence will be missed. Philip is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Regina Rivers (Opilo); his sister, Lynda Nelson; his brother, Alan Chekanski; his children, Nathaniel Stuyvesant (Leta Koontz), Lora Ferguson (Dre Arnold) and Caylan Neil (Matt); his stepdaughters, Zandra Bishop (Bill) and Amanda Myers (Gerald Waytashek, fiance); and his grandchildren, Basyl Stuyvesant, Ashley Glasser, Madison Myers, Liam Bishop, Abigail Myers, Isaac Myers, and Xander Bishop. Friends and relatives will be received at the BURKET-TRUBY FUNERAL HOME CREMATION & ALTERNATIVE SERVICES, INC.,421 Allegheny Ave., Oakmont on Sunday, November 26, 2017 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. and a funeral service and sharing will take place at the funeral home on Monday, November 27, 2017 at 11:30 a.m., followed by burial in Penn Forest Natural Burial Park. Donations may be made to the Pittsburgh Buddhist Center (pittsburghbuddhistcenter.org/donations) or to the NAACP (donate.naacp.org) in lieu of flowers. Send condolences post-gazette.com/gb
