Layton Wittenberg

The family of Layton J. Wittenberg, PhD, formerly of Madison, Wis., is saddened to announce his passing on October 8, 2012 at age 85 in Hudson, Florida. He was our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, son and friend. Layton is greatly missed by his wife Melsean, son Wayne (Carol) Wittenberg; daughters Melsean Wittenberg, and Laurel (Terry) Hunt; as well as five grandchildren: Katherine and David Hunt; Barbie and Greer Wittenberg; and Seth Uschuk; sister Alcena (Jim) Morrison and nephews James (Kym) and Daniel Morrison. Layton was born in Toledo, Ohio on May 6, 1927 to the late Layton A. and Florence (Orwig) Wittenberg. Upon graduation from Toledo High School in 1945, Layton went to The Ohio State University, where he earned a BS in Chemistry in 1949. Immediately following graduation, Layton started graduate studies at the UW-Madison, where he not only earned his PhD in Chemistry, but also met and later married the former Melsean Hauck, who became his beloved wife of 59 years. Layton and Melsean moved to Dayton, Ohio in 1953, where Layton was a research chemist with the Monsanto Co. for over 30 years, specializing in nuclear chemistry, pioneering solar energy research, and fuels for space exploration. Layton authored numerous papers and presented his research at many international conferences, including in Tokyo, Japan and Baden-Baden, Germany. Upon retirement, Layton returned to the UW-Madison where he was a Senior Research Scientist for the next 17 years at the Fusion Technology Institute, Dept of Engineering Physics. Layton greatly enjoyed his research, mentoring young scientists, and was always motivated by the positive benefits that would result from his efforts. Layton also greatly loved and was devoted to his family and we will continue to keep him in our hearts. Friends are invited to visit with the family on Saturday, October 27, 2012 from 4-6 pm at Cress Funeral Home 3610 Speedway Rd, Madison, WI 53705. Burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery, in Madison on Sunday, October 28, 2012 at 11am.