Hillert Vitt

On August 29, 2018, my husband, Hillert Vitt, passed away at the age of 99, at LECOM Health.  He lived a very good and meaningful life.

On April 21, 1919, Hillert was born to Joseph and Amenda Vitt.  He served for four years in the United States Army Corp in WWII and upon his return in 1949, pursued a degree in Engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology and later his Master’s Degree from Polytechnic Institute was earned in 1961.

In 1947, Hillert married Lorraine Marks, who also lived in Chicago, IL, and they were married 71 years.  They have two daughters, Nancy Ross who lives in California and Paula Scott of Virginia.

Hillert began his career as an Electrical Engineer with General Electric in 1949.  Upon completing GE’s advanced courses in 1950, Hillert was transferred to the Transportation Equipment Division in Erie, PA.  His assignments were in the design of various control systems in locomotives.

His busy schedule did not prevent him from taking part in other activities.  Hillert was president of Tracy School PTA, the Erie Music Teachers Association and Director of the Unitarian Chamber Music Series.  In the Arts Council of Erie, Hillert became involved in the Clarence E. Beyers Endowment Fund.  He was Vice President of the Engineering Society Council, which involved the Balmer Scholarship Fund.

In 1980, at the age of 61, Hillert retired from GE, as manager of Transit Systems and then devoted much of his time to playing his violin.  He studied with a violin instructor in Fredonia, NY, and gave solo performances at churches in Erie and also played in the Gallery String Quartet. Soon thereafter he had the opportunity to play with the Erie Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of Harold Bauer and then Walter Handel.  Later, Hillert played with the Erie Chamber Orchestra and was an adjunct professor at Gannon University from 1988 until 1994.

In April, 2007, Hillert and Lorraine moved to Springhill Senior Living.  He had a strong belief in the benefit of physical fitness and developed a program under the direction of Ryan Hetrick to exercise three times per week. He and Lorraine made charitable commitments to enhance this program and in his honor, Springhill’s fitness room bears his name,  the Hillert Vitt Fitness Center.

Hillert is preceded in death by his sister, Oris and his brother, Carl.

In addition to his beloved wife and daughters, Hillert is survived by several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at Springhill Senior Living Center, 2323 Edinboro Road, Erie on Tuesday, September 11th, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. for a Celebration of Life with the Reverend James W. McCormack, presiding.

Memorials may be made to Springhill Senior Living Center, 2323 Edinboro Road, Erie, PA 16509.

Send condolences at www.Burtonfuneralhome.com.