Christopher L. Stitt, 64, engineer at SI Organization

Christopher L. Stitt, 64, an engineer at the SI Organization for 23 years, died of cancer Wednesday, Sept. 28, at his home in Collegeville.

Dr. Stitt was born in Pittsburgh and reared in Altoona, Pa. He attended Altoona High School, where he sang in the school chorus and helped edit the sports section of the school paper.

After high school, he enrolled at Pennsylvania State University, from which he graduated with a dual degree in chemistry and physics.

After college, he taught seventh-grade math for a year at a junior high school in Bellwood, near Altoona. He joined the Navy and served during the Vietnam War as a yeoman aboard the Moale, which shuttled between New York City and the Caribbean doing training missions.

Dr. Stitt continued his education by earning a master's degree and a doctorate in experimental psychology from Bryn Mawr College. While pursuing his doctorate, he cowrote a book, Frontiers of Behavior: Perspective and Practice.

After teaching at Temple University for five years in the business department, he worked for various organizations before settling in Collegeville to work as a systems engineer at the SI Organization in King of Prussia, which provides services to the Defense Department and the intelligence community.

In 1969, he married Mollie Myers, whom he had known since fifth grade. They were introduced by their mothers, who were friends, and dated through high school and college. They celebrated their 42d anniversary in August.

Dr. Stitt was a member of the Audubon/Oaks Lions Club, serving most recently as secretary and treasurer. He was honored as a Melvin Jones Fellow for embodying humanitarian ideals consistent with the nature and purpose of Lionism.

"He loved volunteering and giving back to the community," said Jennifer Stitt, Dr. Stitt's daughter-in-law.

Among his hobbies were theater, counted cross stitch, and woodworking. He was a restaurant enthusiast and sports fan. He coached his daughter's traveling softball team and rooted for the Penn State football team as well as the Phillies and Eagles. He avidly followed golf and auto racing on television.

Dr. Stitt was a longtime dog lover, and among the canines he owned were a Great Dane, corgi, Norwegian elkhound, and Havanese.

He was delighted when he became a grandfather and looked forward to spending time with his granddaughters.

"Around other people, he tended to be reserved," said Jennifer Stitt. "When he was around his family, his true personality emerged."

In addition to his wife and daughter-in-law, Dr. Stitt is survived by a daughter, Bethany; a son, Travis; and two grandchildren.

Friends may call at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, at Dr. Stitt's residence, 3724 Worthington Rd., Collegeville. Donations may be made to Leader Dogs for the Blind (www.leaderdog.org). Condolences may be shared at www.ruggierofh.com.