Dr. Barry L. Alpert
April 1, 2025

DR. BARRY L. ALPERT: Age 79, of Pittsburgh passed away on April 1 after a courageous three-and-a-half year fight against multiple myeloma.  He was a pioneer in the field of cardiac electrophysiology and enjoyed a career that spanned more than four decades.  However, it was his role as a loving, supportive, and intensely devoted husband, father, and (most of all) "Grampy" that he relished above all.

He was born in Boston and grew up in Laconia, New Hampshire as the oldest of six children.  There he developed his lifelong love for golf, skiing, and The Boston Red Sox.  His academic achievements as class valedictorian led him to Harvard, where he studied political science only to realize his true calling was in medicine.  He went on to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and complete clinical training in St. Louis, Boston, and Philadelphia.   His career trajectory was shaped by his inspiring mentors in the newly emerging field of cardiac electrophysiology.  Previously deferred military enlistment led him to San Antonio as a Major in the US Air Force, where he set up one of the earliest electrophysiology labs in the country.  He was subsequently recruited to The University of Pittsburgh in 1978 to replicate the same EP lab as the first of its kind in the region. 

Soon after his arrival in Pittsburgh, he met his soulmate Judy Ruben on a blind date and knew he was ready to establish roots and create a family with her in his newly adopted home.  Together, they lived an extremely full life that was always centered on family, filled with travel adventures around the world sampling the most exotic foods on the menu, Wednesday "date nights", and subscriptions to the Pittsburgh Symphony and Public Theater.  Many of their fondest memories together were created during summers at their "Great Escape" in Nantucket-biking, exploring, doing jigsaw puzzles, and hosting their closest family and friends. 

After four years in the university setting, Dr. Alpert became the second electrophysiologist in the country to go into private practice.  He joined the staff at West Penn Hospital in Bloomfield, which he would call home for more than 30 years.  Dr. Alpert embraced his professional community of first-generation electrophysiologists and traveled throughout the world to exchange knowledge, inform drug development, and develop procedural techniques that he then brought back to Western Pennsylvania.  Among some of his many feats, he was the third cardiologist in the world to implant a defibrillator and the first in the area to perform catheter ablations and complex pacemakers.  Along the way, he taught multiple generations of trainees and took immense pride in their success.  Several became world-renowned in the field and collectively established Pittsburgh as an electrophysiology powerhouse.  Patient care for him was everything, and he emulated the bedside manner of his pediatrician grandfather to forge innumerable bonds across the decades, always hoping to understand those he treated as people, not patients.  It was not unusual for him to come home with homemade gifts or recent vegetable harvests from his grateful patients who loyally followed him to Shadyside, Forbes, East, Jefferson, and Wheeling as the healthcare landscape changed.  He retired in April 2021 just shy of his 76th birthday.

Fatherhood and Grandfatherhood meant infinitely more to him than his professional achievements, and despite the long work hours, he always managed to be at Judy's side to prioritize family celebrations, little league coaching, countless recitals, family ski trips, and Sunday night dinners.  Among the most memorable experiences was taking the entire family to Israel to celebrate his 70th birthday.  He took great joy in sharing a lifetime of diverse interests and making sure to cultivate several connections unique to each individual, from Premier League Soccer to U2 to Daniel Tiger.  And despite never wavering in his Red Sox support and those memorable pilgrimages to Fenway Park with his son, he equally embraced Pittsburgh sports and cheered his teams to many championships over the years.  Through family and work, he developed several meaningful friendships, but he especially cherished his bond with his college friends, who rekindled their friendship during the pandemic with a virtual book club that has continued to bring several years of enjoyment.

Unfortunately, just months after his retirement, fate delivered him his final and most complicated medical case to solve yet-his own.  He was steadfast in his determination to beat the odds, scouring the medical literature to review the primary data and learn of the latest breakthroughs.  As the condition and its treatments took their inevitable toll, he continued to see life through his ever-present rose-colored glasses.  Fighting through pain and ultimately paralysis, he relied upon grit, courage, and determination believing the path to getting better required him to outwork his disease.  Despite myriad symptoms, he never complained while cheering on the newest skiers from the bottom of the slope, pushing the stroller through Disney with his brace, or completing one last European adventure with Judy, only to will himself to finish the photobook in his final days.  He was fortunate to receive care from his tremendous medical team that was commensurate with the exceptional care he provided to his own patients.

Barry is survived by his loving wife, Judy, their three children Lori Smolar (Benjamin) and Craig (Aviva) also of Pittsburgh as well as Joshua (Jill) of Portland, Oregon in addition to six grandchildren (Aaron, Zachary, Emma, Lucy, Noah, and Andrew) in whom his memory lives on.  He was preceded in death by his brother Charles and is survived by four siblings Marc, Bess, Jonathan, and Jeffrey. 

Services at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., 5509 Centre Avenue, Shadyside on Friday, April 4, 2025 at 1 PM. Visitation one hour prior to service (12 Noon - 1 PM). Interment Homewood Cemetery.

The family would especially like to thank Dr. James Rossetti (Hillman Cancer Center) and Dr. Jacob Laubach (Dana Farber Cancer Institute) and their respective teams and requests that all donations in Dr. Alpert's memory be directed to these profoundly impactful institutions. Hillman Cancer Center UPMC Cancer Pavilion, Suite 1B, 5150 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15232 or Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, PO Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168. In addition we are indebted to Dr. Nagib Manov and the outstanding Longwood team that treated him as a colleague as well as a patient, and Ron Cardinale, who provided not only care but friendship in his final years. www.schugar.com

Condolences

Send Condolence

We are deeply sorry for your loss. Barry has been a wonderful friend and neighbor. He will be missed.

By Jen and Ken Pasterak - April 03, 2025

---

DR Alpert so sorry for your loss, you and your family have my sympathy God bless.

By lisa spencer - April 03, 2025

---

My deepest condolences. A medical pioneer and longtime friend.

By Susan and Marc Laufe - April 03, 2025

---

We are so deeply sorry to hear of Dr.Alpert’s passing. His wisdom and dedication to his family has certainly touched our own lives and careers, despite having never met him. I’m certain that physicians around the region, nation and world can say the same, whether they know it or not. We hope that fond memories will provide comfort to your family in this time and through the years to come. With love, The Smiths

By Alex and Cierra Smith - April 03, 2025

---

Barry hired me as nurse practitioner. I was a new graduate and he was instrumental in shaping who I am as a nurse practitioner. I was a novice NP and and new to EP. He was wonderful and took me under his wing. Despite his brilliant mind and such expertise in his field he never made me feel stupid or inferior. We worked together for 14 years. He was my mentor, my employer and my friend and always treated me like family. There will never be another Barry Alpert, he was one of a kind. I will miss him. My condolences to Judy and the Alpert family.

By Connie Tierney - April 03, 2025

---

Mam Judy and Family My Deepest Sympathy from my Family ,So Sorry For your Loss May you Rest in Peace Doc Alpert I’m really sad & cried when I heard about his passing I’m off that day it’s really fast what happen 😢 I’m really proud and thankful I meet Doc Alpert and I know how he really wanted to get better to help other people . You will be missed Doc Alpert I will never forget you I’m still sad whenever I look at the end table where you usually sat , and I even prepare a room tray for you today I still can’t believe your with the Highest Creator now , till we met again Doc your memory will always remains with US at Riverside ❤️ We love and miss you Doc now you will never feel pain anymore . Again Mam Judy and Family my sincerests condolences to Alpert Family Sincerely yours, Mary 8786260216

By Marites Artim (Mary ) Dietary Aide Cura Longwood Oakmont - April 02, 2025

---

This kind gentleman , genius doctor , was so devoted to so many ….. more than just a Dr … he was my friend and my cheerleader…. Rest in peace Dr.A … my deepest condolences to his family … he always spoke so kindly and proudly of you all !!!

By Penny Roberts - April 02, 2025

---

Dear Craig, We are deeply saddened by your loss and keep you and your family in our thoughts. May God give you strength as you navigate through this unimaginably difficult time. We are here for you.

By Val and Tariq - April 02, 2025

---

To Judy, Craig and other family members: It is with sadness about hearing Dr. Alpert had left us. He was a very good man. I will always remember having our talks while seeing him. He was an excellent Doctor. With Peace.

By Rebecca Faber - April 02, 2025

---