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Tony Kueshner
Crafton resident known for placing trees, parks
Friday, March 07, 2003
By Teresa F. Lindeman,
Post-Gazette Staff Writer
Tony Kueshner wanted no flowers for his funeral, but his family was directed to buy two small trees to stand at either end
of his casket.
Mr. Kueshner, a 72-year-old Crafton resident who died at home Wednesday of multiple myeloma, spent more than three decades
heading the Crafton committee for parks and shade trees, earning nicknames such as "Mr. Trees" and "Tony Trees" before leaving
the volunteer post.
Meanwhile, in his day job at Turner Construction, Mr. Kueshner worked on man-made edifices such as the Sarah M. Scaife Gallery,
One Oxford Centre and the 64-story, three million-square-foot U.S. Steel Tower.
Both types of projects were satisfying because they delivered tangible results, said his wife, Judy Kueshner. Her husband
used to tell her he liked construction because, "When it's finished, you can go up and kick it."
Born Andrew Anthony Kueshner, Mr. Kueshner first made his mark on Crafton as a member of the high school football team and
president of the class of 1948. After school, he did construction work and took college classes part-time before serving a
stint in the Army's special services division.
In 1960, he earned a bachelor's degree in architecture from the Carnegie Institute of Technology, then spent a few years designing
and building homes that would take advantage of Pittsburgh's steep hillsides. It was an interest he would return to when times
were slow in the construction business.
He joined Turner Construction in 1966, first serving as assistant superintendent and later project superintendent on a Westinghouse
Electric Corp. office building in Braddock Hills. The massive U.S. Steel Tower project needed more than one superintendent
and Mr. Kueshner's assignment was to be liaison between the architects and the construction company.
"When they finished the top floor, he said I had to go up and see the view," said Judy Kueshner. She remembers arriving in
high heels to find no outside wall, just a chain between her and the view.
In 1988, Mr. Kueshner became a trainer, where he worked with many of the younger staff members coming up through the business.
The last project he worked on was at the Phipps Conservatory. He retired in 1994.
Meanwhile, he continued planting Crafton. A Post-Gazette profile in 1999 estimated Mr. Kueshner was responsible for the creation
of three miniparks, about 18 flower beds and 300 new trees in the community, including 150 pear trees along Steuben Street.
A boulder near the borough building is inscribed with his name.
In December 2001, Mr. Kueshner was given a state award for volunteer work in urban and community forestry, in part because
of his work in getting Crafton recognized as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Kueshner is survived by two sisters, Ruth Wetzel of Mt. Lebanon and Irene McGowan, of Gaithersburg,
Md.; two sons, Kenneth Kueshner of Altoona and Branden Kueshner of Louisville, Ky.; one daughter, Kathryn Vincent of Crafton;
nine grandchildren; and eight nieces and nephews.
Viewings will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, at Schepner-McDermott Funeral Home, 165 Noble
Ave., Crafton. A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday in St. Philip Church, Crafton. Interment will be at Holy Souls
Cemetery.
Posted: Thu Mar 6, 2003 11:26
am
I met Tony Kueshner when I moved back into Crafton. I live on the corner of Clearview and Sterrett, which
is around the corner from the Kueshner residence. Tony would often stop by and give advice from his station wagon when
I was out trying to improve my landscaping with the little knowledge that I had.
When it came time
for the larger projects, he would often have handwritten notes with the exact type of plant (including the Latin name), that
would look best and survive my lack of a green thumb. A few years back, when it came time to purchase the curbside trees,
Tony took the time to help me measure the distances from the street and alley, discuss the soil type, which trees would be
most tolerant to traffic, and most importantly, be consistent with the tree types around the other streets in Crafton. The
latter point was very critical. Tony loved Crafton, and he was very particular about the way everything blended.
Tony suggested
a handful of trees that would produce the needed effect. Some of these I'd never heard of. He took me to his house and pulled
out pictures and gave me an explanation of each one. He was already sick at this time and was apologetic of the fact that
he was not quite himself. However, seeing that I was still unsure, he went with me to the nursery that day, introduced me
to the personnel and spent a good hour taking me to each tree that he had suggested so that I could see for myself what they
looked like. I will never forget that.
I didn't know Tony all that well, but will never forget that this very
kind and knowledgable man took the time to teach and work with someone that needed assistance. Much of the landscaping on
my property is Tony's handiwork, including the four trees on my curb. They will grow to be beautiful.
Crafton lost a great treasure - someone who was respected and loved by everyone. Tony was a very special to me. My
condolences to Judy and the entire Kueshner family.
Mark Schuster
(Canevin, '75)
Posted: Thu Mar 6, 2003
8:08 pm
I would like to add a tribute to Tony that goes way back beyond
what I have seen in recent messages.
Back in the early 50's Tony was an apprentice architect under my father, Ed Horley.
I believe that he was still a student at Carnegie Tech. At the time I was still in elementary school, but would enjoy spending
time with my dad, his partner and Tony at the office on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. I often remember Tony taking the time
to explain what he was doing and assisting me in some of my homework.
Later on, when he decided to get into construction
work, he hired me to help clean used bricks for a house he was building on Middletown Road, overlooking Ingram. He was the
most patient supervisor for a spry teenager. Tony was a very good friend, but moreso a father figure for me.
I deeply
regret that I moved out of town, and lost the benefit of Tony's guidance and such fine people from Ingram and Crafton.
Dan
Horley, '58
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