ROBERT L. WITTEN
Died July 1, 2005
Las Vegas resident
Retired U.S. Navy Lieu-tenant Commander Robert L. Witten, 76, father of U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Shawn E. Witten of Goldsboro, died July 1, 2005 in Las Vegas Nev., where he had retired
He had been hospitalized at Mountain View Hospital for two weeks with acute emphysema.
A decorated officer who rose through the enlisted ranks to eventually command a ship, he was commended for his bravery in saving several lives and his exceptional leadership as a ship's commander, submariner, deep sea diver and navigator. He retired from the Navy on Sept. 1, 1974, but continued as a global mariner for 20 more years. He commanded oceanographic research vessels for Nekton Inc. of San Diego and sailed insured vessels across the oceans for Lloyds of London Insurance Co.
In addition to his son, Mr. Witten is survived by his wife, Anna Bennington Witten; another son, Robert L. Witten Jr. of Hilo, Hawaii; two daughters, Catherine Meier and Sharon Chasteen of San Diego; three brothers, Donald E. Witten of Columbia, Md., Walter L. Witten of Silver Springs, Md., and Dr. Charles Witten of North Myrtle Beach, S.C.; one sister, Rose M. Papaioannou of North Myrtle Beach, S.C.; and eight grandchildren and three great-grand children.
His cremated ashes will be buried at sea in the Pacific during a shipboard ceremony by the U.S. Navy.
Published in Obituaries on July 26, 2005 1:57 PM