Lance W. Chontos Fund
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Lance Chontos was a kind, brilliant and analytical man whose life ended far too soon—before he could complete the many contributions he was destined to make in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Born and raised in Duquesne, Pennsylvania, Lance was the second of five children and the only son. He earned his bachelor of science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, later becoming a licensed Professional Engineer in Mechanical Engineering. He went on to complete his MBA in Finance from Carnegie Mellon University.
His path was not an easy one. Lance worked tirelessly to fund his education, taking out loans and riding the bus to and from school. But he was driven by a deep belief in the power of education and a desire to use his talents to make a meaningful difference in the world.
A highly skilled and respected engineer, Lance held several key positions throughout his career. He was admired for his technical expertise, visionary thinking and exceptional ability to mentor others.
He lived his life with purpose, integrity and discipline. A lifelong advocate for healthy living, Lance faced unimaginable challenges in his final years. In 2021, he was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), a rare and incurable neurodegenerative disease, while also battling stage four metastatic prostate and bladder cancer.
Through it all, he remained courageous, composed, and remarkably selfless. Lance never complained—offering instead, with characteristic wit and resolve, to help find a cure for PSP himself. He passed away on Feb. 4, 2023, in the arms of his beloved wife, Nancy—just one day after their 32nd wedding anniversary.
Lance’s deep appreciation for learning—and the sacrifices he made to pursue his own education—inspired the creation of this memorial fund in his name. This fund will provide scholarship support for students who are pursuing careers in STEM, who like Lance, have a dream of using their talents to create lasting, positive change.