Benjamin Kittle

Benjamin Lee Kittle, 88, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 3, 2014. Born on Feb. 1, 1926 in Elkins, W.Va., he was a son of the late Benjamin and Hazel Kearney Kittle. He was a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology where he earned his bachelors and master's degrees in civil engineering. Ben was a registered professional engineer in the fields of civil, hydraulic, and sanitary engineering and also a registered land surveyor. He was a veteran of World War II and retired from the US Army Reserve with the rank of Colonel. Colonel Kittle served in infantry, artillery, and engineer units beginning in 1943 when he enlisted in the Hawaii Defense Volunteers, a unit of the Central Pacific Base Command. He spent his career as a hydraulic engineer with the US Army Corps of Engineers. His strong work ethic then led him to a second career as Public Works Engineer for the Lexington-Fayette County Urban Government in Kentucky. He always looked at life as a big adventure, which he chronicled in his memoirs. His life experiences took him from West Virginia, across the country through California and to Hilo, Hawaii, where he was living when Pearl Harbor was bombed. With assistance from the G.I. Bill, he studied at the Citadel, the University of Hawaii, the University of Colorado and finally the Georgia Institute of Technology. Ben was an accomplished photographer and sailor, and enjoyed many years of competitive sailing at the Atlanta Yacht Club. He was also an avid reader with a special appreciation for poetry and history, with special interests in World War II, the Civil War, and the poetry of Robert Service. He was a devoted husband and loving father, always providing support to his children in any of their endeavors. He was especially passionate about higher education, providing encouragement and assistance to his daughters so they could pursue higher levels of learning. Ben had a quick, sharp wit, with a big heart underneath and he will be greatly missed by those he has left behind. He was married for 50 years to Norma Jean Knox Kittle who preceded him in death in 2003. He is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Mary Chaney of Ocean City, Md., and Mrs. Joyce Brown of Rehoboth Beach, Del.; three daughters, Mrs. Jennifer Giersch, of Atlanta, Mrs. Cynthia King of Lake Worth, Fla., and Dr. Beverly Brockman of Chattanooga; and seven grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 8, 2014, at Cynthiana Presbyterian Church with Rev. Patrick Laney officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at the Pythian Grove Cemetery in Berry, Ky. Pallbearers for the service will be Dr. Chris Brockman, Mr. Rob Giersch, Mr. Jerry Brockman and Mr. Kevin Chaney. The visitation for family and friends will be held from noon-2 p.m. preceding the service. Memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Dr., Chattanooga, TN 37416, or St. Joseph Indian School, P.O. Box 300, 1301 N. Main St., Chamberlain, SD 57325. Online condolences may be sent to www.woodheadfuneralhome.com.