Charles “Bud” Ditton
1939 - 2008
Northumberland lost a dear friend yesterday with the passing of Charles “Bud” Ditton. He served the Borough with distinction, using a combination of persuasion, detail and yes, feistiness to improve our community, that will likely never be matched again. We will truly miss him, and pray for Judith and all of his loved ones in this most difficult time. We lost a true leader and from all of us on Borough Council, the Mayor and all Borough employees, I say "Until We Meet Again, Our friend."
President Bryan M. Wolfe
Northumberland Borough Council.
NORTHUMBERLAND - Charles L. "Bud" Ditton, 68, of King Street, lost his courageous battle with cancer late Saturday evening, March 8, 2008, at his home.
He was born April 3, 1939, in Northumberland, a son of the late Charles A. Ditton and Lois (Cramer) Ditton Clark. He was married to Judith (Garbai) Ditton who survives.
Bud was a 1957 graduate of Northumberland High School. He then joined the Marine Corp., serving from 1957 to 1960. He returned to education receiving his Bachelors of Education from Bloomsburg University and his Masters from Bucknell University.
He began his teaching career in the mathematics dept. in schools in the Philadelphia and Delaware areas. His career switched direction into the computer field resulting in employment with Control Data installing computer systems for Financial Institutions and Universities in U.S. and abroad. He became project manager of computer-installation for the UBS Bank of Switzerland. He then held several positions for the European Headquarters of Dow Chemical Co. His last employment came as the manager of Computer Security for several European Countries. After 20 years being overseas, Bud decided to return to the U.S. and semi-retired returning to his old love of teaching. He was employed as a substitute mathematics teacher for several local school districts including Shikellamy where he was well liked and respected by his students and fellow teachers alike.
Bud also returned to personal education by receiving his PhD from Pacific Western University in 1988.
Mr. Ditton was a true pineknotter and was very passionate about the town of Northumberland where he was born and raised and served as a member of the Borough Council for several years. His hobbies included woodworking, building model ships, listening to country music, traveling, reading and fishing.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Thomas C. and Susanne Ditton, one daughter and son-in-law, Ursula A. and Adrian Harper, and his two and half year old grandson, Mike D. Ditton, all of Switzerland. They were the pride and joy of his life; three sisters and one brother-in-law, Joanne Bolig of Northumberland, Marion "Mickey" Waters of Missouri, and Frances "Frankie" and Thomas Jones of Northumberland; countless nieces and nephews; and his beloved Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Kyna.
He was preceded in death by one sister, Sandra Stetler.
Friends and family may visit from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Townside at the Savoy, Front Street, Northumberland, where a celebration of Bud's life will take place at 11:30 a.m. with the Rev. Rebecca Foote officiating. A luncheon will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Bud's memory to the Pineknotter Park Ball Field, attn: Travis Fisher, Township 229 John's Way, Northumberland, PA 17857 or Michael Daddario, 257 Queen St., Northumberland, PA 17857.
Arrangements by the Joseph W. Epler Funeral Home, 210 King St., Northumberland.
Published in The Daily Item on 3/10/2008.