Barbara Lotze

On Thursday, January 17, 2019, Barbara (Kalo) Lotze, age 95, of South Park. Beloved wife of the late Dr. Dieter Lotze and Herbert L. Retcofsky; step-mother of Joyce Carrico of Thomas, WV, John T. (Dell) Retcofsky of Fairview, PA, Carol Miller of White Oak, PA, Kathleen McDermott of Jefferson Hills, PA, Herbert Alexander (Elaine) Retcofsky of Pgh., and the late Kandius Lynn Retcofsky and Gregory Charles Retcofsky; also survived by 9 step-grandchildren (predeceased by one step-grandson), 4 step-great-grandchildren, and 4 step-great-great-grandchildren; sister of Matyas Kalo, of Budapest. Barbara was born in Mezokovesd, Hungary, and moved to Budapest with her family at the age of 10. In 1956 she was awarded a diploma in applied mathematics with honors from Eotvos Lorand University of Sciences. She fled Budapest during the Hungarian Revolution and spent time in a refugee camp in Austria before receiving a Rockefeller Foundation Grant to enroll as a doctoral candidate in mathematics at Innsbruck University, where she was granted a PhD in mathematics and theoretical physics in 1961. She married her late husband, Dieter Lotze, in 1958, and they emigrated to the United States in 1961, both accepting jobs at Allegheny College in Meadville, PA, and becoming naturalized citizens in 1967. Barbara was offered an Assistant Professorship in the Physics Department at Allegheny College in 1963, and rose through the ranks to become a Professor Emeritus of Physics, chair of the department from 1981-1984, and teaching until her retirement in 1990. Since 1963, Barbara has been a member of the American Physical Society (APS), the American Institute of Physics (AIP), the Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh (SSP), the Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh (SACP), and the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), who honored her with the Distinguished Service Citation and the Certificate of Appreciation for her important contribution to the teaching of physics. During her career, Barbara presented numerous papers at professional meetings, organized and lectured at symposia, including as president of the Hungarian Educators' Association, and authored, edited and contributed to multiple publications about physics and the Hungarian Revolution. In 1995, she established an Endowment for the Advancement of Physics Education in the United States, which grants a stipend to scholarship recipients. Though she remained active in research and publication, her primary focus was on her role as an educator. After the passing of her husband Dieter, she married her late husband Herbert L. Retcofsky, of South Park, in 1998. There will be no visitation. A private interment will be held in Thomas, WV. Arrangements by GRIFFITH FUNERAL HOME, INC., 5636 Brownsville Road, South Park Twp. (412) 655-4600. Condolences may be offered for the family at www.GriffithFH.com

Barbara Lotze

January 4, 1924 - January 17, 2019