Harald Witting

1936 - 2024

Harald L. Witting Burnt Hills - Harald L. Witting, age 87, died on Thursday, March 14, 2024, peacefully at his residence. He was born on September 23, 1936, in Duisburg-Hamborn, Germany and was the son of the late Ernst and Mathilde (Zawrzel) Witting.
Harald was an enthusiastic, athletic, and intelligent man. Harald graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston, MA with a Doctor of Science (DHSc) in Nuclear Engineering. He had a long and accomplished career as a research Scientist at the General Electric Research and Development Center until his retirement in 1996. In his career at GE, he was named in numerous patents and was influential in the research community within his area of specialty.
He also had a wide range of physical hobbies including tennis, skiing, sailing, swimming, and hiking. He climbed all the peaks in the Adirondacks over 4,000 feet earning him membership into the Adirondack 46ers club. He skied much of his life, serving in the ski patrol at Hickory Hill for many years. He played tennis all his life, participating with regular tennis groups and playing with friends at the local high school tennis courts. He even joined aerobics classes during his lunch break at GE, likely being one of the few men in the class. He learned to snowboard when he was in his 50's and did a lot of windsurfing in his 60's and 70's, often with people significantly younger than he was. When he retired, he chose to get involved in dog agility with his wife Joyce and became an excellent handler and beloved by the agility community. He continued to compete with their Shelties until recently.
He will be remembered for his energy and enthusiasm for almost everything.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce (Ismert) Witting; his children, Karen A. (Jim Terry) Witting and David A. (Melissa Neuman) Witting; his daughter-in-law Patty Witting; his grandchildren, Juliana Witting, Luke Witting, Matt Mulvaney, Ryan Witting and Lauren Witting; and his sister, Helga Behnke.
Along with his parents, he was predeceased by his son, Peter R. Witting; his daughter-in law, Colleen (Bolton) Witting; and his sister, Inge Schiedermair.
A memorial service will be held on April 20th and details will be announced in Harald's Book of Memories.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice of Saratoga, 179 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.
With confidence, the family has placed their trust in Townley & Wheeler Funeral Home, 21 Midline Road, Ballston Lake, and they encourage you to view and leave messages on Harald's Book of Memories at www.TownleyWheelerFH.com.