Bertram H. Pittis ’50

Bert died Sept. 2, 2011, in Madison, N.J.

Bert was one of our class veterans, serving in the Army Corps of Engineers during World War II. A graduate of Lawrenceville, he majored in mechanical engineering and belonged to Terrace.

His first engineering job was with Thomas Edison Co. in West Orange, N.J., where he met and married Joan Wilckens in 1953. He later worked for more than 20 years for The Wall Street Journal in South Brunswick, where he was responsible for developing engineering technology. He contributed to several patents that automated the publishing process.

Bert was a tirelessly creative person who applied this attribute and his engineering precision to his home and community projects. Most notably, he redesigned, restored, and doubled the size of the Grace Church carillon in Plainfield. The Pittis Carillon is one of only four in New Jersey. His creativity also led to designing jewelry, ceramics, and household gadgets.

A lifelong resident of Madison, he was devoted to his church and active in local politics. He enjoyed family vacations in western national parks and on the Maine coast, as well as frequent art trips to Manhattan.

Our condolences go to his wife, Joan; children Allison and Laurence; twin brother Walt ’50; and brother Albert ’52.