Abraham Oseroff
Biographical Information.


Mr. Hospitalization: Blue Cross Pioneer Dies Here at 69

From The Pittsburgh Press 26 May 1960.

Abraham Oseroff, known as "Mr. Hospitalization" of Pittsburgh, died today at his home at the age of 69.
Mr. Oseroff, of 5470 Bartlett St., was a pioneer in the formation of the Hospital Service Assn. of Pittsburgh, the Blue Cross. He served 19 years as head of the association and retired four years ago.

A former New York businessman, he helped introduce the non-profit group hospitalization into Western Pennsylvania. He later served as national chairman of Blue Cross.
Mr. Oseroff, director of Montefiore Hospital for many years, also served in various offices with national and district hospital groups.
A native Pittsburgher, Mr. Oseroff was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1911 and received a master's degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1914.

He served with the U. S. Army in World War I as a first lieutenant and was managing director and member of the board of R. H. Macy and Co., Ltd., and Abraham & Straus, Ltd., London, from 1919 to 1923.
After holding various executive positions from the inception of the Blue Cross Plan here in 1937 until his retirement as president, he was named founding director with office to be retained for life and served the plan as adviser until his death.
He was also active in social service, Civil Defense, public health and welfare work.

Under his guidance, the Blue Cross grew to an enrollment of 1,969,000 members in Western Pennsylvania at the time of his retirement in 1956.
He was a member of the Concordia Club and the Hundred Club of Pittsburgh and the City Athletic Club of New York and the University of Pennsylvania Club of New York.
Survivors include his widow, Irma Ruth; two sons, Abraham Jr., and Andrew; a daughter, Barbara Ann; and a brother, Isaac, of Pittsburgh.
Friends will be received from noon tomorrow at the H. Samson Funeral Home, 537 North Neville St. Burial will be 2 p. m. Sunday.


Return to Table of Contents