Harry Henderson Cornell was born in Blairsville, PA on Apr. 16, 1933.
He graduated from Blairsville HS in 1951, where he played football and wrestled, and he served in the Army 1953-55. Harry worked at Torrance State Hospital where he met a nurse, Marilyn Keslar, of Greensburg, whom he married in 1955. They had a daughter, Wendy Dawn, and a son, Keith Scott. He attended the University of Pittsburgh 1956-60, where he earned his BS in Metallurgical Engineering, after completing a Senior Project – “Niobium in Cast Iron.” Harry worked in a number of steel mills 1960-69, where he helped develop the processing of special products, including niobium powder for the government’s strategic stockpile, while at Kennametal. Harry earned an MBA at Pitt in 1969 and began working in sales and marketing for MolyCorp of Washington, PA. In 1988, he became Marketing Manager, Special Products, for XCBMM (Brazilian Mining & Metals), a major world supplier of niobium products. Harry traveled half the world for pleasure and business. He prepared and presented technical papers at locations including Brazil, Canada, and Hawaii. In 1999, he golfed the Old Course at St Andrews, Scotland, with his son. After retiring in the early 1990s, Harry’s metal interest turned to those used in golfing and computers in Greensburg. In 2016, he moved to Cornwall Manor in Lebanon County, PA, where he roomed within walking distance to the iron furnace he learned about in the 8th grade, and a short drive to the Iron Valley Golf Course. He extensively explored the area on weekend outings with his daughter and son-in-law.
A cherished father, Harry was predeceased by Marilyn and is survived by Wendy (Les McQuire) Cornell, Keith (Amy Smail) Cornell, and granddaughters, Claire and Abby Cornell. A formal memorial service is not planned.
