Dr. Richard K. Pitler

Dr. Richard K. Pitler, of Amelia Island, Fla., passed away Thursday, May 18, 2023, at age 95. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Jeanne I. Pitler; two children, Steven (Michele Bergeron) Pitler and Andrew Pitler; daughter-in-law, Patricia Pitler; four grandchildren, Emily Pitler, Lauren Kansupada, Will Pitler and Chris Pitler; and three great-grandchildren, Luke and Claire Guha and Olivia Kansupada. Dr. Pitler was preceded in death by his parents, Morris and Freda Pitler; son, David, and brother, Harry. Dr. Pitler was born and raised in Merrick, N.Y., on the south shore of Long Island, where he met his wife, Jeanne, in high school. They both enjoyed summers working at Jones Beach, where he was a lifeguard. He also served as a first lieutenant in the Army. Dr. Pitler was a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and while attending was a captain and school record holder in swimming. He later earned graduate degrees from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He joined the Allegheny Ludlum Corporation in 1949 as a metallurgist and retired in 1986, serving in various leadership positions including senior vice president, technical director, and a member of the Board of Directors. Dr. Pitler had numerous patents, was active in several professional societies including President, ASM International in 1989, and was the author of various technical studies on titanium, valve steels and high temperature metals. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the ASM Materials Education Foundation in Materials Park, Ohio atwww.asmfoundation.org/asm-donate/. OXLEY-HEARD FUNERAL DIRECTORS.