William H. Tingle III

William H.C. Tingle III (Bill) passed peacefully on Sunday November 20, 2022, at the age of 105 with family by his side. He will be remembered by his family and friends as an adventuresome, kind, wise, good humored, quiet, inspiring, and thoughtful man.  

Born in Parnassus on August 31, 1917 to the late Margaret (McRoberts) and William H.C. Tingle II, his family then moved to Lower Burrell, PA where he lived most of his life on the property that his grandparents helped to settle. 

Bill, a retired research physicist, was chairman of the Muriel E. and Edward C. Wachter Foundation. After a few formative years working in a steel mill and the U.S. Post Office while attending school, he graduated magma cum laude in 1949 from the University of Pittsburgh where he taught Physics for one year. He was then employed for 33 years by the Alcoa Research Laboratories where he developed methods for the analysis and control of metals, gases, and ores. His work involved chemistry, optics, electronics, and mathematics. He helped set up the methods for measuring and controlling the colors of Alcoa Siding, design of the Pop-Top beverage can, and new techniques for smelting and fabricating aluminum. He directed the development of the first computer-operated system for measuring the composition of molten metal using the plasma arc.

Bill was chairman of the American Standards and Testing and Materials (ASTM) Committee on Spectroscopic Analysis of Aluminum and was subcommittee chairman of the International Standards Organization (ISO) Committee on Analysis of Aluminum. He was issued patents and published and presented technical papers on techniques involved in electrochemical analysis, activity of molten salts, measurement of optical reflectance, and hydrologic energy conversion.

Bill was a member of the Pittsburgh Society for Applied Spectroscopy, Optical Society of America, and Sigma Pi Sigma (Physics Honorary Society). He received the Sigma Pi Sigma Plaque for Outstanding Work. He received the ASTM award for Outstanding Contribution and the ASTM H.V. Churchill Award for Meritorious service. He has been listed in American Men of Science and Who’s Who in the East. He was a member of the Research Society of America.

Bill served nearly four years in the U.S. Army in England, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany during World War II. He received a Certificate of Appreciation from the French Government, Good Conduct Medal, and the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars. He is a member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and the VFW Post 92. He returned to marry his pre-WWII sweetheart, Annetta (Molly) Johnson in 1945 at the Braeburn Methodist Church.

In 1956 Bill was a co-founder and first president of the Lower Burrell, PA Little League and was a charter member of the Lower Burrell Lions Club. He was honored to be a member of the Little League Hall of Fame. Bill and Molly were lucky to be at Forbes Field for Game 7 when the Pirates won the 1960 World Series, cheering as Bill Mazeroski rounded the bases. He enjoyed many years racing sail boats and competed vigorously with Molly at regattas in the eastern lakes, off the Atlantic coast, and in the Gulf of Mexico. He was Commodore and named Sportsman of the Year by the Moraine Sailing Club. He was an avid skier of the Rockies and the Alps as well as of local mountains. Bill found great pleasure in playing saxophone for the dance bands around the area, playing ice hockey for Pitt, writing poetry, and scoring the first hole-in-one on the 7th hole at the Hillcrest Country Club. He was a highly ranked chess player and published his first cookbook at 104.

Bill was predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Annetta (Molly) Johnson, in 1997.  He is survived by his son, William H.C. IV and Rita (Kamyk) Tingle, his daughter, Susan (Tingle) and Marshall Krumpe, five grandchildren and their families: Vim and Vanessa (Megaw) Tingle, Matthew Tingle, Chase Tingle, Todd and Bianca (Zickel) Krumpe, Erin Krumpe, and four great grandsons: Arthur and Griffin Tingle and Leo and Zachary Krumpe.  Many loving family members and friends along with Susan Weisgerber brought fun into his later life. 

Family and friends will be received on Saturday November 26th from 2-4 and Sunday from 1 until time of Service at 3 pm at the Frank F. Gigler Funeral Home, Inc., Robert P. Karish, Supervisor, 2877 Leechburg Road, Lower Burrell (724) 335-6500.  A private interment will be held on Monday at Henderson Cemetery with Military Honor.

Bill’s family is grateful for the excellent and compassionate care he received by the medical team at West Penn Hospital and to Jean Antonnacci, Helen Lozovoy, and Judy Seitam for their wonderful friendship and care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be directed to the Lower Burrell Meals on Wheels Program, 1009 Puckety Church Road, Lower Burrell, PA  15068.  www.giglerfuneralhome.com.

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