Monessen veteran receives Wecht humanitarian award

Rodney Merritt Sr. was honored by Achieving Greatness Inc. with the annual Veterans Award.

By the MVI

Rodney Merritt Sr. of Monessen was among several area people honored with the 2026 Dr. Cyril Wecht Western Pa. Humanitarian Award. The awards ceremony recognizes people and institutions whose impact extends beyond the Pittsburgh area, said Bill Neal, CEO and founder of Achieving Greatness Inc. The event took place March 21 at Plum American Legion Post 980.

Before Wecht’s death in 2024, Achieving Greatness Inc., partnered with the forensic doctor to recognize and honor people who make their communities a better place.

Wecht, the longtime medical examiner coroner for Allegheny County, was also a renowned forensic pathologist, consultant, author of 20-plus books, lecturer and an adjunct professor at the Duquesne University School of Law, School of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences.

Merritt, a Donora native, attended the awards banquet with his wife of 54 years, Joyce, children, grandchildren, and relatives, as he was recognized for his military service as a U.S. Navy veteran. A 1972 Ringgold High School graduate, Merritt retired after 40 years of service at Dyno Nobel Inc. in Donora.

Another Donora native, Dane “Mitt” Tartt, a baseball star at Donora High School, was also honored as a U.S. Army veteran.

Former basketball great Baron “B.B.” Flenory was honored with the Veterans Award.

The information for this story is thanks to Bill Neal, and was first published in the New Pittsburgh Courier.