Andrew T. Fenrich

1914 - 1992

BiographyAndrew T. “Huck” Fenrich was born February 20, 1914, in Pittsburgh, Pa. to George and Elizabeth (Schuber) Fenrich. After graduating from Allegheny High School, Fenrich began work at the Pittsburgh Corrugated Paper Box Company as a salesman. While employed at this company, Fenrich aided in the 1936 organization of a local chapter of the International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite, and Paper Mill Workers, and served as the chapter’s first president. While working at the Pittsburgh Corrugated Paper Box Company, Fenrich married Mary Fenrich. Together the two had three daughters, Arlene, Phyllis, and Sandra. Their youngest daughter, Sandra, would marry Walter Ostry, a prison guard from the Troy Hill neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pa.

On August 17, 1943, Fenrich enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve. Shortly after enlistment, he was sent to Camp Sampson in New York for training. Following a brief stay at Camp Sampson, Fenrich was transferred to the Hospital Corps School located in Portsmouth, Va. Here he trained as a hospital apprentice and pharmacist mate. After continuing his medical training in Corpus Christi, Texas, Fenrich was assigned to serve on an aircraft carrier, the USS Prince William, in February 1944. During his service aboard the USS Prince William, Fenrich achieved the rank of hospital apprentice first class and pharmacist mate third class. The mission of the USS Prince William was to ferry aircraft to the air arm of the Pacific Fleet, and to deliver troops and supplies to forward areas and islands necessary for the “island hopping” campaign in the Pacific. Fenrich returned home from naval service on November 15, 1945, and was officially discharged from the military five days later. He was awarded the Asiatic/Pacific Campaign Medal for his service.

After his discharge from the military, Fenrich returned to his position at the Pittsburgh Corrugated Paper Box Company. In 1949 however, Fenrich was approached by David Lawrence, then mayor of Pittsburgh, and was encouraged to contend for a vacant position as a state assemblyman. That same year, Fenrich was elected to the state legislature, representing a district encompassing nearly all of Pittsburgh’s North Side. During the campaign, Fenrich’s prior involvement with union organizing galvanized the support of union members throughout Allegheny County. Central to his political agenda was advocating for the rights and benefits of World War II veterans.

After two terms in the state legislature, Fenrich took a position as secretary of public relations to Mayor David Lawrence in 1954. In this position, Fenrich cultivated a friendship with the mayor while mediating interactions between Lawrence and the media.

After Mayor Lawrence was elected governor of Pennsylvania in 1958, Fenrich ran once again for a position in the Pennsylvania assembly. Fenrich succeeded, serving seven consecutive terms until his retirement in 1974. During his time in Harrisburg, Fenrich served as chair of the House Committee on Labor Relations and the executive secretary of for the Allegheny County Democratic organization.

There exists today a Huck Fenrich Memorial Park in theTroy Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pa.