David George Mack

David George Mack, 76, passed away at West Penn Hospital on August 7, 2020. He was born on May 23, 1944, in Pittsburgh, the only son of the late George Miller Mack and Frances Kuzan Mack. He proudly served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force from 1969 to 1979.

Dave graduated from Carrick High School in 1962 and thereafter matriculated at Lehigh University. After a successful collegiate start, Dave transferred to Pennsylvania State University where he was a member of the Air Force ROTC and Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. Graduating with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Dave decided that his two-year stint at Penn State was not long enough, and so he continued his Electrical Engineering studies in pursuit of an M.S. During this time, Dave discovered his passion for flying, and after obtaining his M.S., enrolled in the United States Air Force Undergraduate Navigator Training program. Graduating the USAF program in 1969 at the top of his class, Dave was able to pick the fighter jet of his choice to ride in and chose the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II. After some time as a navigator, Dave transitioned into his (most favorite and story-producing!) role as a fighter jet pilot in his beloved F-4 Phantom.

Flying the F-4 in the Air Force, Dave traveled over and through numerous countries, as well as 49 of the 50 states in America. During his time in the Air Force, Dave was recognized for being level-headed and dependable. Upon leaving the Air Force, Dave successfully shifted into gainful non-military employment with various companies, one of such being Boeing. Ultimately, Dave settled down with U.S. Airways (now American Airlines) in 1983. In 1990, at U.S. Airways, Dave met the love of his life, Jamie Lee Andrews, and then settled down with her in 1992. Jamie and Dave enjoyed an extraordinary 28 years of marriage. 

From 1983 until the time of his death, Dave incessantly beat the drum of full-time employment as a flight instructor while making time for not only his loved ones, but also his many hobbies. In addition to golfing, skiing, waterskiing, biking, hiking, running, and working out, Dave enjoyed just about any other athletic activity in which he could partake. Aside from athletics, Dave was an avid chess player and board game competitor. When Dave was not engaged in one of the aforementioned hobbies or his work with American Airlines, he had the exceptional ability to always find something to labor over or accomplish in his “free time.”

Dave will be remembered as a principled man with a superb sense of humor, a devoted husband and father, as well as a loyal friend who always put the concerns of others before his own.

Dave is survived by his loving wife, Jamie, his son, Jeffrey David Mack, his sisters, Coral Lee Mack and Deborah Lane Sweet, and his nieces Corie Ellmer and Crista Barberini.

Dave’s funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, August 12, at St. Benedict the Abbot Church in McMurray. The address for the church is 120 Abington Drive, McMurray, PA 15317. Due to the current Covid-19 restrictions in Pennsylvania, Jamie and Jeffrey will greet Dave’s visitors in the vestibule of the church at 9:30 AM before the 10:00 AM mass. Assuming the restrictions are lifted by the spring of 2021, Jamie and Jeffrey plan on having a memorial mass and catered social gathering next year at the St. Benedict church hall to commemorate Dave’s life.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Washington Animal Shelter in Dave’s name for the cattery or a charity of one’s choice.