Dr. Jeremy John Pietron

Dr. Jeremy John Pietron, age 53, died unexpectedly in Santa Cruz California on April 25, 2025. He was a kind and giving soul who touched many lives all over the world with his intelligence, charm and wit.

Jeremy was born in Johnstown, PA, May 16, 1971. He graduated from Forest Hills High School, Sidman, PA in 1989 and went on to attend Penn State University where he completed his Bachelors Degree in Chemistry. He continued his education at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, graduating with his PhD in Analytical Chemistry.

He is survived by his loving wife, Heather Dawson and step son Hayden Crain. Parents; JoAnn Pietron and John M. Pietron III (Jacklyn).  Sister; Jennifer Wachter and brother in law Jim Wachter. Nieces; Alyssa Oldham and Faith Oldham. Nephew; Drew Wachter. Uncles and aunts; David Pietron (Janet), Marlene Krawczyk (Stan), Sue Pietron and James Briede, (Maureen).  Multiple cousins and close friends and of course his beloved dog Ofi.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents: John M Pietron Jr., Anna Carino Pietron, George Briede and Adele Struckmeyer Briede. Aunt Georgia Kornmann Walker, Uncle Richard Kornmann, Uncle Richard Pietron, Nephew Jimmy Wachter, Cousins Richard Kornmann Jr and Jimmy Fetzko.

Jeremy began his career as a Research Chemist for the U.S. Naval Research Lab in Washington DC. In his 20+ year career there, he published over 50 peer reviewed articles in chemistry and has 3 patents and 3 patents pending. He and his colleagues developed catalysts for fuel production and worked on a program to neutralize harmful chemical warfare agents. He was a great asset to the Scientific community and will be greatly missed by his friends and colleagues.

In 2019 he moved to California to be with and marry the love of his life, Heather. He worked for Livermore Labs, California until his illness caused him to take time off on disability in 2024.

Unfortunately, a severe exacerbation of his mental health disorder rendered him unable to continue to do what he loved which was be a research chemist. He received intensive inpatient and outpatient treatment during this time. He had just started a new job working from home at the beginning of 2025.

Jeremy loved sports and the outdoors. He played little league baseball as a kid and played football in Highschool. He loved to run, hike, ski, go to the gym, martial arts and yoga. He was up to try anything fun and adventurous. He was a part of a running group in DC. He was a loyal Pittsburg Steelers and Pirates fan. He would take his son to Giants games in CA. He loved music and his tastes were very eclectic. In his younger days he enjoyed Pink Floyd, REM and classic rock. Most recent favorites, to only name a few were Archers of Loaf and Pavement.

He was an avid reader and enjoyed reading in German for fun. He spoke German fluently and was learning Spanish. His work took him to many countries such as Germany where he worked with the University of Bochum. He visited many countries all over the world, meeting wonderful people and finding new friends wherever he landed. A big accomplishment for him was climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania Africa.

He lived in the small beautiful beach town of Santa Cruz, CA where he enjoyed spending time with his family, coaching Hayden’s Little League team, hiking the many beautiful parks in the area with his wife, body surfing at the many beaches and walking his dog Ofi. He loved his family back home and would spend as much time as he could over holidays and vacations as his busy life allowed, visiting with his mom, sister and his beloved nieces.

Take comfort in knowing Jeremy lived his life to the fullest, contributing his best scientific mind to humanity and touching and loving so many lives along the way.  He is no longer in pain and is at peace.

Memorial service will be held Saturday May 31st at noon at Henderson Funeral Home-East Hills, 2503 Bedford Street, Johnstown, PA 15904.

In Lieu of flowers please send donations to The National Alliance on Mental Illness. (NAMI)

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dr. Jeremy John Pietron, please visit our floral store.