Barbara Ruth Schlaerth Biglan, PhD, a distinguished educator whose career spanned from the classrooms of the Soviet-era Baltic states to the innovative sustainability programs of Western Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 6, 2026. She was 82 years old. Her passing marks the end of a life defined by intellectual curiosity, a deep commitment to Catholic faith, and a resilient spirit that saw her overcome a metastatic breast cancer diagnosis two decades ago.
A Life Defined by Academic and Global Exploration
Born in Buffalo, New York, on November 2, 1944, to John N. and Margaret Heath Schlaerth, Barbara’s path toward academic leadership began at Nardin Academy. She earned her B.S. from Le Moyne College in 1965—the same institution where her uncle, Rev. William Schlaerth, S.J., once served as president. Her academic journey continued through the University of Buffalo and culminated in a Ph.D. in Science Education from the University of Pittsburgh.
Her career was marked by a unique blend of administrative rigor and international experience. While serving on the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh, she traveled to Tallinn, Estonia, to examine the education system within the USSR. This global perspective followed her into her personal life; she and her husband, Albert W. Biglan, M.D., spent three years in Bamburg, Germany. During their time near the border of the former East Germany and Czechoslovakia, she volunteered as a teacher for children of military personnel, demonstrating a lifelong dedication to student advocacy.
Building Educational Foundations in Pittsburgh
Upon returning to the United States, Barbara became a fixture in Pittsburgh education. She held a key position at Shadyside Academy’s Junior School, where she helped implement the computer program for the institution’s three campuses. Her expertise in STEM education led her to Chatham College, where she served as the principal investigator for federal grants, collaborating with regional institutions like Duquesne University and the Allegheny Intermediate Unit.
Her leadership extended to West Virginia, where she served as Head of School for the Wheeling Country Day School for eight years. Colleagues and family members note that even during her demanding tenure as a school administrator, she maintained a profound connection to the arts. She refined her painting skills under the mentorship of Mark Fleming, producing a body of work that now resides in collections from Alaska to Florida and across Europe. Later, she returned to Chatham University to help establish the Eden Hall campus, overseeing its Program of Sustainability.
Dedicates Decades of Service to Saint Paul Cathedral
The rhythm of Barbara’s life was anchored by her involvement at Saint Paul Cathedral in Oakland, which she and her husband joined in 1968. Beyond weekly mass, she was a central figure in the parish’s family life, helping establish a nursery for children during services and serving on the governing board of Oakland Catholic School. Her commitment to the Cathedral even included acting as a wedding coordinator, ensuring that the sacraments she held dear were managed with precision and grace.
Those who knew her describe a woman of boundless energy. Even as she faced the onset of dementia in her final years, she remained supported by her husband, Albert, and their daughter, Margaret.
Final Arrangements
Barbara is survived by her husband, Albert W. Biglan, M.D.; her children, Albert John Biglan (and his wife, Minhnoi Wroble Biglan, PhD) and Margaret Biglan; and her two grandsons, Alexander John Biglan and Michael James Biglan. She is also survived by her brother, John B. Schlaerth, M.D., and his wife, Catherine Dowling Schlaerth, M.D., along with seven nieces and nephews.
Visitation is scheduled at the BURKET-TRUBY FUNERAL HOME CREMATION AND ALTERNATIVE SERVICES, INC., located at 421 Allegheny Ave., Oakmont, PA, on Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., as well as Sunday, November 15, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Saint Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh on Monday, November 16, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at the Cemetery of the Alleghenies.
