Bethel Park-Upper St. Clair Magistrate Robert Wyda Dies

This article was originally published on Tuesday, Aug. 6.

Robert C. Wyda, the magisterial district judge for Bethel Park and Upper St. Clair Township, died on Monday night, a representative of the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office said.

Judge Wyda, 54, was married with two children. His primary care physician, Dr. Michael McGonigal, attributed the "natural death" to Wyda's cardiac history, the representative said. Wyda had previously had a quadruple coronary bypass and wore a pacemaker.

There are two visitations planned for Wyda. The first will take place from 2 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 7, at Beinhauer Funeral Home in Peters Township. There will also be an American Legion Service at 7 that night.

The second visitation will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 8, at the same location. A funeral service will follow at Beinhauer's. Wyda will be buried at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies.

Wyda had been a lawyer for 28 years and the magisterial district judge for 14 years. His district is one of the most populous magisterial districts in Pennsylvania with 53,000 residents.

Wyda was a U.S. Navy veteran. In 2003 and 2006 and from 2007 to 2008, he was recalled to active duty from the Naval Reserves to serve in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay.

There has been an outpouring of grief in the communities that Wyda served. Flags are being flown at half-mast, and flowers could be seen inside and outside of his Bethel Park office.

"It's a sad day here in Bethel Park," Bethel Park police Chief John Mackey said on Tuesday afternoon.

Mackey became the municipality's police chief the same day that Wyda took over the magistrate's office.

"Extremely popular, and well-deserved," Mackey said of the late judge. "I think that was attributed to his outgoing, friendly, funny personality. He was a character, and I think everybody appreciated that.

"Everybody liked him. I don't think I've ever met anybody that had anything negative to say about him. And this is a guy that's sending people to jail and revoking bonds and making you pay fines, but I never even heard any of those people say anything bad about him.

"I think, when they went before him, they always felt that he treated them with respect and they got a fair shake."

Upper St. Clair police Deputy Chief Douglas Burkholder, the township's acting police chief, said on Tuesday morning of the news of Wyda's death, "It came as quite a shock. Rob was a great DJ (district justice) and very fair. He worked with our department on scheduling. That helped us out a lot.

"Great guy. He's going to be missed."

Added state Rep. John Maher (R-Upper St. Clair), "Rob Wyda was a dear friend who exemplified duty to the country, duty to family and duty to community. He was really just one of the nicest people you could ever know."

Bob Orchowski, president of the Upper St. Clair Board of Commissioners, said, "I'm just saddened and shocked to hear of his passing. Our community—and the world in general—lost a great individual."

From U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Upper St. Clair): "I'm deeply saddened to learn of Judge Robert Wyda's passing. Rob was a respected public servant, admired Navy officer and a beloved family man. He served his family, his community and his country with honor, courage and commitment. And he did it all with a smile.

"I pray that his wife, Shannon, and their children find strength during this difficult time. I will miss him."

State Sen. Matt Smith (D-Mt. Lebanon) tweeted on Tuesday morning, "Very sad to learn of the passing of my friend Magistrate Rob Wyda. Great person, father and Naval vet who served our country with distinction."

Please leave your condolences in the comments section below.

Editor Becky Brindle contributed to this report.