With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Douglas Charles "Doug" Huckestein of Pittsburgh, PA.
Below, the family shares some of what made his life meaningful.
Every life leaves an echo in the lives it has known.
Visitation: Thursday April 30, 2026 from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM at Devlin Funeral Home, 806 Perry Hwy
Service: Friday 11AM at Memorial Park Church
Douglas Charles Huckestein, 75, passed away on April 26, 2026. Son of the late Charles and Ruth; husband of 52 years to Debbie Huckestein; father to Chas (Allison) Huckestein, Heather (Beau) Herger, Tim (Jenna Yetsko) Huckestein; grandfather to Lincoln and Emerson Herger, Eliza, Gwen, and Vivian Huckestein; brother of the late Dan, Dean, and Holly Seng (survived by her husband Bob); uncle to Stacy, Dan, Jeff, Ray, Matt, Sandi, Kraig, Kelly, Ryan, Logan and the late Steve; brother in law to Patty (Jeff) Bruder, Kim (JJ) Filipcic, and friend to many. Everyone loved Doug. You would be challenged to find a spot in the city where someone didn't know Huck. He was the life of the party and worked hard and played hard his entire life. Doug was raised as a proud North Sider and graduated from Perry High School in 1968 where he played football and baseball. After high school, he began working for Duquesne Light. As a lineman and crew leader for 43 years, Doug worked long days and many nights and weekends of overtime to provide for his family, all the while making lifelong friends. You could still find him years later showing up to support his Local Union 29 at the Labor Day parade. After work hours, he was an athlete and ballplayer that likely played softball at every field in Allegheny County and beyond. After he hung up the mitt and cleats, golf became his next course of play. Tuesday league, Wednesday night league, Sunday travel leagues, and of course outings in the summer. He still swung the club like he was trying to hit a homer on the field, but it was the laughs and camaraderie that he showed up for, and a skin or greenie win here and there didn't hurt. His two hole-in ones prove sometimes it really is "better to be lucky than good" as he'd like to say. He enjoyed socializing and sharing a beer or three with friends after a long shift, a night game, or a round of golf. A sports fanatic, he loved his Pittsburgh teams, and he passed that love on to his children. While he loved the beach, especially Emerald Isle, NC where the family has vacationed for over 35 years, his love for sunscreen was not as strong and his habit of having burnt feet and eyelids by day two of the yearly trip showed it. He never met a wedding dance floor that he didn't like; he led the Electric Slide like no other. His Thanksgiving feast was the best around, his breakfasts better than Denny's, and you were lucky if you ever got to try his special hot sauce for his homemade wings. Doug didn't like to sit still, he didn't like to ask for help, he could fix everything, was extremely kind and would do anything for his friends. There are probably too many to count, but he always seemed to make time to lend an ear, tell a joke, or share a smile and a laugh. He was the type to always have your back, and his actions spoke louder than words. His true love, though, was his family. He married his high school sweetheart Debbie, his "bride", and loved her for over 52 years of marriage. Since retiring, they enjoyed vacationing to many places including Italy, Aruba, and Mexico. He acquired a love for the beach since that was his wife's favorite place, and he always thought of her first. He did anything and everything for her. Doug loved his three children and would do anything for them as well. There wasn't a team he wouldn't coach for Chas, Heather and Tim. Baseball was his love in coaching, but soccer, softball, basketball, and lacrosse- he did it all. His players all adored and looked up to him, often turning tears into smiles with the offer of a knuckle sandwich. Doug would never miss an event for his kids, ballet recitals, volleyball tournaments, lacrosse games; there could be three in a night, and he would find a way to be there. As time shifted, he became a support system in their adult lives, a best friend. It was no surprise that he also became the best Pap Pap there could be. He loved Lincoln, Emerson, Eliza, Gwen, and Vivian with his whole heart. There wasn't a time he wouldn't be available to watch them (Dougie's Daycare), pick them up, come to a concert or art show, watch a softball game or recital, and always made sure to have the Power Wheels charged and ready. He would be waiting at the kitchen window to be the first to greet them, and could always bring a smile to their faces. He would read them books, push them on swings and help them on the monkey bars for hours if needed, and make their favorite homemade cheesy noodles. Pap Pap always had a sweet treat on hand, and was happy to spoil his grandchildren. Doug was the patriarch for his extended family for many years. He had the biggest servant heart; he did so much for so many and will be missed dearly. In true Doug fashion, in his last week he perfectly mulched his entire lawn, got to talk about the latest Steelers draft, and witness the Penguins take down the Flyers one last time before he left us far too soon. We will love you forever. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you perform an act or gesture of kindness as you see fit for family, friend(s), or a charitable cause of your choice in honor and memory of Doug. Friends received Thursday April 30, 2026 from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM at Devlin Funeral Home, 806 Perry Hwy. Memorial Service Friday 11 AM at Memorial Park Church.
Devlin Funeral Home 806 Perry Highway Pittsburgh, PA 15229
