Robert Ditto

Robert Jennings "Bob" Ditto, 91, passed away Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, at a local hospital.He was a native of Louisville, Ky., born May 12, 1922.Robert graduated from Louisville Male High School, where his father was a teacher for 45 years. He attended Speed Scientific School at the University of Louisville and graduated with a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University, Lafayette, Ind., in 1948, after serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.Mr. Ditto was a member of Theta Tau, National Engineering Fraternity and a life member of the Purdue Alumni Association. He spent a number of years in the product design and development lab of American-Standard in Yonkers, N.Y., and Louisville, Ky., and also in the Rheem Development Laboratory in Chicago, Ill. In these capacities he was responsible for design and testing of gas fired heating appliances.Mr. Ditto held membership in the American Society of Heating and Ventilation Engineers, Gas Appliance Engineers, Society of Manufacturing Engineers and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He was also a member of the Whorley Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite and Alhambra Shrine.In 1955, Mr. Ditto came to Chattanooga as head of product design for W.L. Jackson Manufacturing Co. He was a member and past president of the Chattanooga Engineers Club. He was also past president of the Chattanooga Chapter of the Tennessee Society of Professional Engineers and General Chairman of Engineers Week.March 1, 1966 he established his own business, Bob Ditto Inc., in industrial and commercial sharpening service and mill supply sales. He had worked with the Regional Science Fairs and with Boy Scouts of America. He was also active in the Alton Park Council, Alton Park Development Corp. and Westside Self help Organization. He was honored by the Chamber of Commerce as its first Small Business Man of The Year in 1983.Bob was an avid sailor and had served as Vice Commodore and Rear Commodore of Chickamauga Sailing club and was a member of Privateer Yacht Club. He was also a member of First Presbyterian Church, the Lee Anderson class and had served as a Deacon.Survivors include Frances G. Ditto, his wife of 65 years; a daughter, Catherine (Stan) Groff, of Hixson; son, Carlton Jennings Ditto, Key West, Fla; and granddaughter, Rebecca M. Groff.A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, at the North Chapel. There will be no visitation at the Funeral Home.In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Bethel Bible Village, 3001 Hamill Road, Hixson, TN 37343; Changed Lives, P.O. Box 100, Chattanooga, TN 37401: First Presbyterian Church (world missions), 554 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37411, or Bachman Home, 414 Brymer Creek Road, McDonald, TN 37353.Please share your thoughts and condolences at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.Arrangements by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.