Unearthing The Undead 25 - DON BARTH
Badge #: 72
Don Barth was an officer that appeared in "Night of the Living Dead". He can be seen shooting left-handed the ghouls around the farmhouse. He was a city of Pittsburgh Police Officer for 28 years. Before retiring in 1993, he worked overnight at the police academy interacting with the K-9s.
He also was one of the greatest coaches of any sport in the history of Western Pennsylvania high school athletics. When he retired in 1996, his teams had won 11 WPIAL and seven PIAA state championships and had a record of 788-133.
He coached for 10 years at old Domenec Catholic on the North Side before starting North Catholic's girl's basketball program in 1973. In his 23 years there, he was 600-83, won 22 section titles and had a 146 game winning streak when he retired.
His teams made it to a WPIAL title game 19 consecutive years and from 1987-89 had a 56 game winning streak, both WPIAL records. His 1994 team is considered one of the best in WPIAL history, going 31-1, being ranked No. 6 in the country and winning its games by an average of 44.6 points.
He was inducted to the WPIAL Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017. Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic in Cranberry had named its basketball court Barth and Graham Court after Don and his coach, Don Graham.
His niece Kristen Allen also went to North Catholic and was inspired by Don to also become a Pittsburgh Police Officer, even getting a tattoo of his badge number.
Kristen also adds that Don "was a devoted pet owner and loved all animals that he encountered. He rescued many dogs and cared for homeless cats. He had such a huge heart."
Researched and compiled by John Vullo
Text and photos © Image Ten, Inc.
If you know of any family, friends or acquaintances that appeared as extras in the original Night of the Living Dead, please contact John Vullo at jmv3683@gmail.com
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