SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa – Slippery Rock University and The Rock athletic family lost a valued member of its community Monday when Ed Walsh, an English professor emeritus and former assistant baseball coach, passed away at the age of 78.

Walsh joined the Slippery Rock faculty as an English professor in 1961 and earned the prestigious title of professor emeritus immediately following his retirement in 1996. He was also The Rock's pitching coach for 23 seasons under Wally Rose as well as a longtime Slippery Rock youth baseball league coach.

In addition, Walsh served many years as the advisor to the University's student newspaper and was instrumental in the creation of an internship program with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Penguins professional sports organizations that ultimately helped produce several media and public relations professionals.

Walsh also served several terms on Slippery Rock's borough council, including stints as president.

Former students and friends honored Walsh and his wife, Fran, in May 2010 with a reception in the Russell Wright Alumni House and Conference Center on the SRU campus. Shortly thereafter, in a feature story that appeared in the Fall 2010 issue of the University's quarterly magazine, The Rock, longtime friend and former Rock baseball standout Dick Hudson conveyed the thoughts of many:

“Ed was a mentor and a friend, someone who had the unique ability to be both of those things without crossing the line between teacher/coach and friend,” Hudson said. “It was less what he said and more what he did. He set an example for us to follow. He made you feel like you were around a confidante. He gave you encouragement without you really knowing he was doing it and, in the process, instilled confidence and reassurance.”

The words of an Irish saying further express the sentiments of those who had the good fortune to be mentored by Ed Walsh:

“There are good ships, and there are wood ships, the ships that sail the sea. But the best ships are friendships, and may they always be.”

Walsh is survived by his wife; one daughter, Sue Walsh of Rochester Hills, Mich.; one son, Tim, of Slippery Rock; and three grandchildren.

Visitation services will be from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, at the Smith Funeral Home, 421 New Castle Street in Slippery Rock. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 20, at St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, 670 S. Main Street in Slippery Rock, followed by internment at Allegheny Cemetary in Lawrenceville.

Memorial contributions may be made to:

Messer's Milestone Baseball Scholarship
Attn: Bill Richter
Slippery Rock University
1 Morrow Way – Room 100 Old Main
Slippery Rock, Pa. 16057

Slippery Rock University Foundation
Center for Advancement
1 Morrow Way - Room 100 Old Main
Slippery Rock, Pa. 16057

Clarion University Foundation
Center for Advancement
840 Wood Street
Clarion, Pa. 16214