The Passing of a Friend

It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that Pittsburgh Power announces the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Pete Sharp, on May 5, 2024. Pete's valiant fight against pancreatic cancer in the past year was a testament to his extraordinary character and unyielding determination. Despite the formidable obstacles, Pete's unwavering positivity and resilience served as a beacon of hope for all of us.

Pete's presence within the Pittsburgh Power family was truly irreplaceable. His unique energy made every interaction memorable. Whether it was his genuine kindness or his readiness to lend a helping hand, Pete's impact on the lives he touched was profound and lasting.

Pete started at Pittsburgh Power on August 7th, 1987, following his twin brother Pat into the diesel mechanic industry.  Pete worked as a mechanic for many years, honing his skills and eventually becoming one of the leading experts on Big Cam, N14, and many other Cummins engines in the United States.  Pete's role in Pittsburgh Power expanded throughout the years, and he eventually became Vice President, still spending an enormous amount of time on the phone helping customers across the country.  Pete had an incredibly strong work ethic and cared greatly about the company, our employees, and our customers.

Beyond his professional contributions, Pete was a friend and confidant to many. He had a knack for brightening dark days with his optimistic outlook and outgoing nature.  Pete greatly enjoyed fishing on his kayak on the Kiskiminetas River, regardless of if he caught anything or not, as long as there was a good cold craft beer waiting for him when he was finished.  Pete also enjoyed skiing and spending weekends at Hidden Valley or Seven Springs Ski resorts when he was able to.  Pete was very close to his three nephews and niece, whom he loved spending time with and watching grow up.

Throughout his battle with cancer, Pete demonstrated remarkable resilience and courage. He faced each day with a sense of bravery and determination that inspired all who knew him. Despite the pain and uncertainty, Pete remained unwavering in his resolve to fight for every moment.

As we mourn Pete's passing, we also celebrate his profound impact on our lives. His memory will forever be a cherished part of the Pittsburgh Power family, serving as a beacon of strength and inspiration for years to come. Though he may no longer be with us in body, his spirit will continue to live on through the lives he has touched and the memories he created.

In the days after Pete's departure, we unite to honor his legacy and support one another through this challenging time. Together, we can find solace in the memories we shared and draw strength from the knowledge that Pete's spirit will always be with us. We will carry his legacy of kindness and resilience as we navigate the days ahead, standing strong as the Pittsburgh Power family.

Pete's legacy will continue to inspire us to live each day with courage, kindness, and gratitude. As we mourn the loss of our dear friend and coworker, let us also celebrate his life and his impact on us and the trucking community. Rest in peace, Pete. You will be dearly missed but never forgotten.

WORDS FROM THE HEART

There are several words that best describe Pete Sharp. He was a man of integrity, dedication, and honesty. He was a man of many talents and loved the simple things in life. He loved to help people and was extremely clean and organized. His home, workplace, and his car were always spotless. His mind was always sharp, his attitude was always great, and he had the ability to stay calm regardless of the circumstances. He put his work, fellow employees, and owner-operators first and his needs second. He was loyal to his work and the people in his life. I had the opportunity to work with Pete for 37 years; we traveled together to many truck shows, shared the driving, motel rooms, and so many meals that I knew what he would order off the menu. There was never a problem between us. He was a great employee, friend, and Vice President to all the employees of Pittsburgh Power and the thousands of owner-operators he helped. Pete would take as many as 64 phone calls per day helping owner operators. His knowledge of Big Cam Cummins and N-14’s is second to none and can never be replaced. His twin brother Pat has been with us for 40 years; we are so blessed to have the Sharp brothers be a huge part of our lives. I will dearly miss this great man. Pete, may you rest in peace.

-Bruce Mallinson

 I had the privilege of working with Pete for the last 36 years. He was a wonderful friend and was like a brother to me. He got me through my days, and we talked about everything. We always shared a piece of dark chocolate many afternoons. That was our thing. I will miss him every day. Work will never be the same. We were not just coworkers; I loved him very much. I will miss him calling me little buddy. Till we meet again, my friend.

-Aimee Killian

 I have only known Pete for six years—a short time in comparison to the rest of the team, but enough time to feel the profound emptiness in the shop with his absence. Pete was the kind of leader that you felt comfortable taking your issues to, as you knew that you would be greeted with patience and understanding (95% of the time), depending on how badly you messed up. Being the man that he was, though, if you were honest, you had nothing to fear. I would often go to his office to talk about the issues of the day, only to be drawn into long conversations about our interests. I would be there until the phone rang, and that’s when you knew to scooch because he would always answer. I started in this company as a mechanic, green as grass and having no clue about how to build an engine. Gradually I worked up my knowledge until the time came that I wanted to learn about tuning and electronics. Pete was the one that gave me that shot. I worked my ass off and showed the initiative. I still remember when I asked him for the job, and he acknowledged me. It is one of the few times that I have felt seen. That is until a management position in media and marketing opened in the company, and I dove at the chance. I can’t help but feel he had his hand in that, too. Once I took on this position, I had the opportunity to go to trade shows with Pete, and to be honest, he was one of the main reasons I wanted to go. We would have a hard day at work, and he would always want to sit down with my colleagues and me and drink a few craft beers. I will miss those times, and I will miss him being a part of my work life and trade show experiences. Rest easy, friend.

-Jordan Greathouse

My last text to you was, if anything sounds good to eat, let me know, and I’ll bring it over. Love ya, buddy.

His reply was, thank you, Love you too.

That is the person Pete was. During the pain and suffering, he was telling me that he loved me. He was a true friend that taught me so much in a short amount of time. When I met Pete 15 years ago, I remember thinking how meticulous and organized he was and that he must have a strict type of personality. But that was the farthest thing from the truth. He had such a big heart and was so kind to all. I am truly going to miss the 6 am text from you saying, you fly, and I’ll buy for our coffees. God Speed my friend. I love you and miss you. Until we meet again. Next time I’ll buy and you fly. 

-Eric Moser