Attorney's civic efforts a boon to city he loved

Even when the Pittsburgh Opera struggled financially in the late 1990s, longtime board member Charles Harff understood the importance of its resident artists program.

The former Wall Street lawyer reached out to New York connections and single-handedly landed a major donation in excess of $1 million to provide a strong foundation for the program's future.

“Charlie had an ideal combination of financial acumen and arts understanding,” said Christopher Hahn, the opera's general director. “He could be wry and a little bit crusty. He was always pointed. So you knew Charlie was always completely clued in.”

Charles H. Harff of Sewickley died Monday, March 9, 2015. He was 85.

His late parents, Dr. Philip and Stephanie Harff, moved their family from Wesel, Germany, to New York City and then Cambridge, N.Y.

Mr. Harff graduated from Colgate University and Harvard Law School, then studied in Germany for a year at the University of Bonn as a Fulbright Scholar — and later served as president and director of the Fulbright Association.

After spending 29 years practicing with and later as senior and managing partner of a Wall Street law firm, Mr. Harff joined Rockwell International Corp. in 1984 as a top executive and moved to Sewickley with his wife, Marion Haines MacAfee.

Todd Harff said his parents chose Pittsburgh over Los Angeles.

“They chose Pittsburgh because of the culture — and not just the arts culture, but the culture of the entire community,” said Harff of Barrington, R.I. “They really enjoyed the people in Pittsburgh.”

Mr. Harff retired in 1996 and became director of Arvin Meritor Inc., an automotive supplier.

The Harffs bought a house on Martha's Vineyard, Mass., in 1969. Mr. Harff in 1978 co-founded the public Farm Neck Golf Club, serving as president and director for years.

Locally, he was a member of the Duquesne Club and the Allegheny Country Club.

He served on boards of numerous companies, foundations and organizations, including the Martha's Vineyard Hospital.

One of his mottoes was “You don't sit on boards; you serve on boards,” Todd Harff said.

Mr. Harff played competitive duplicate bridge in a quest to become a Life Master.

“He was an immensely bright guy and an immensely decent human being,” said longtime friend Dan Kaplan of West Chester, N.Y. “He had a deep appreciation for his small-town upbringing and the opportunities this country offered. He understood that once you succeeded, you give back.”

Pam Harff and her brother cherished that their father always made time for family — from helping with Boy Scouts to making Saturday breakfasts and holiday cookies from his mother's recipes or walking them to grade school.

“I don't know how he did it, but I am very grateful that he did,” said Pam Harff of McCandless. “He definitely lived his life fully. He continued to amaze me even at the end.”

Mr. Harff's wife passed away in 2009, a year after son J. Blair Harff died. In addition to children Todd and Pam Harff, Mr. Harff is survived by his brother, Dr. George. D. Harff of Albany, N.Y.; and five grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Jason Cato is a writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at 412-320-7936 or jcato@tribweb.com.