Arthur Edmunds, said his friend, attorney Wendell Freeland, had three loves; golf, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Urban League, whose Pittsburgh chapter he directed for 25 years.

“The last time he left his house, other than to go to the hospice, was when he came over to my house to watch the Steelers about four weeks ago,” said Freeland. “And of course he was complaining: ‘Why can’t they get to the quarterback?,’ ‘How come our receivers can’t get open like that?’ He’s probably still complaining.”

ARTHUR EDMUNDS

Edmunds, a civil rights icon who transformed the Urban League of Pittsburgh, died Oct. 5 after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 86.

A native of Des Moines, Iowa, Edmunds became the Urban League of Pittsburgh’s executive director in 1960, on his 38th birthday, after holding the same position in the Flint, Mich., branch. His imposing 6-5 frame belied his quiet, unassuming personality. Quiet but determined.

“I don’t think he ever held a press conference—that wasn’t his nature,” said Freeland. He assembled a very competent staff and he had people like Dick Thornburg, John Heinz, Elsie Hillman and Mellon Bank (president) Chuck Fletcher serve on the board. That was one of his methods for getting things done.”

By building bridges across the city’s racial and economic divides, Edmunds transformed the office from one that had nine employees and a $60,000 budget, to one with 150 employees, more than 10,000 clients and an annual budget of more than $2.5 million when he retired in 1985.

Along the way, Edmunds continually worked to see African-Americans placed in positions where, at the time, they were rarely seen; in executive positions with major corporations like Westinghouse and Koppers, on boards of major non-profits, including several hospitals, in schools and on labor sites.

Esther Bush, current Urban League of Pittsburgh president and CEO, said she would not have returned home to take the position had it not been for Edmunds’ persistence. She said she was busily running the league’s Hartford, Conn., office when the Pittsburgh position became open.

“I saw the notice but just forwarded it to our employment office because I was up to my eyeballs in alligators and didn’t have time,” she said. “Then Art (by then retired) called and said he’d like me to apply. I was honored that he’d call me—he was highly respected throughout the Urban League. A few weeks later he called again—“I didn’t see your resume.” So I sent it—and I’m here now because of his two phone calls.”

She said she always smiles when she thinks of Edmunds.

“He was so soft and laid back, but a quiet storm. He just got things done,” she said. “He truly deserves to be called one of the giants. People don’t understand complexity, the politics and strategy needed to grow and succeed for 25 years. He was a role model to many.”

Edmunds is survived by his wife, Gladys, sons Arthur and Adam, daughters Sharon and Lyn, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. A memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m., Oct. 14 at Calvary Episcopal Church in Shadyside.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are sent to the Arthur J. Edmunds Endowed Scholarship Fund at his alma mater, Fisk University, 1000 17th St. North, Nashville, Tenn. 37208.

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