Joanne Tishlarich Luther's Obituary
Joanne Olga Tishlarich Luther was born on 5 October, 1921, in the borough of Bellevue outside of Pittsburgh, PA. Her father was Ottmar Michael Tishlarich, a first generation immigrant from Croatia, and her mother was Elizabeth Katherine Luffee. Joanne was the widow of Lt. Joseph P. Luther, B-17 pilot in WW II. Joanne died on January 16, 2017 at age 95.Joanne received the Bachelor of Science degree in 1942 from Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University). She was the first woman allowed to work as a research chemist at Gulf Research Laboratory in Pittsburgh. Subsequent employers included Mellon Institute in Pittsburgh and Union Oil Co. in Wilmington, CA. She moved to San Diego in 1952. In 1957, at Carnegie Tech’s request, Joanne formed an alumni group in San Diego, which hosted three Carnegie Presidents over the next 10 years. In 1963, Joanne received a service award from Carnegie Tech. She served two years on the Carnegie Mellon University board after its formation in 1965.Joanne is survived by son Larry R. Luther of Glendale, CA, daughter Linda L. Luther of San Diego, CA, son Dr. Douglas S. Luther of Honolulu, HI, sister Tish Corbett of San Rafael, CA, and four grandsons.
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