SHORT

IAN C.

Ian Christopher Mayow Short passed away, Friday, January 9, 2026, at the age of 89. He was born in Seaford, Sussex, England, on February 17, 1936, to Mayow Earl DeCoucey Short and Margaret Helen (Campbell) Short.

Ian grew up in River Forest, Illinois, where, in his youth, he set his mother's couch on fire. He went on to earn his bachelor's degree in fine arts from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1958. In 1961, Ian received his master's degree in fine arts from the University of Illinois.

He taught at Kent State University in the '60s and '70s, then spent more than two decades at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, where he served as chairman of the arts department from 1993-1996. In 1995, he co-founded Artist Image Resource (AIR) on the Northside of Pittsburgh.

Ian was a master printmaker and prolific multimedia artist, using mediums from oil pastels to photography. Despite being a senior citizen, Ian became as apt as a seven-year-old with the new technologies and how they could be used to create art.

We lost an incredibly intelligent man, a voracious reader and talented artist. His sharp mind and strong artwork ethic kept him alive for 89 years. It is interesting to note Ian smoked two packs of cigarettes a day until the age of 88, adored McDonald's breakfast sandwiches and apple pies, imbibed more than one Manhattan most nights until he was around 80 and if he needed to visit the next-door neighbor he would drive.

Of course, we can't condone any of that behavior, but it certainly did not designate him to a shortened life.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Amanda Kasier Short; his infant daughter, Amanda Short; and his brother, Ronald Short. He leaves behind three daughters, Fran (Bill) Langum, Marion (Joe) Short Steele and Helen (Henry) Lenard; and five grandchildren, David Langum Jr., Audrey Langum, Apollo Langum, Henry Lenard III and Zoe Steele.

Per Ian's request, there will be no viewing or services. Ian was proud to be called a woke liberal Antifa social justice warrior. In lieu of flowers, please honor Ian's life with a gift to the ACLU, Southern Poverty Law Center or Planned Parenthood. Arrangements are entrusted to ANTHONY G. STAAB FUNERAL HOME INC., 900 Chartiers Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15220. To leave a memory of Ian, visit our website: www.staabfuneral.com