Philip Henry Sittler

God was pleased to receive the soul of His beloved child, Philip Henry Sittler, 92, into heaven on February 7, 2021. Since retiring to Roswell, Ga in 1998, Phil was an active choir member at Roswell United Methodist Church for many years and also served as a member & leader in the church’s Friendship Sunday School Class.

Phil was born in Allentown, PA on August 17,1928 to Gertrude & Clarence Sittler. A 1946 graduate of Allentown High School, he performed as a soloist and principal player on the cornet and trumpet in the Allentown High School Band & Orchestra as well as the Canary Cavaliers Dance Band. In his teens through adulthood, Phil was a trumpet & French horn player in the renowned Allentown Band and the Allentown Symphony Orchestra.

After graduating from Mansfield State University, Philip was called into Army service as Chief Warrant Officer and was assigned to the illustrious 392nd Army Band at Fort Lee, Va. where he served as solo hornist and bandleader. Phil later became Commanding Officer of the 243rd Army Band of Allentown, PA during which time he received honors for training performance as well as commendations from the U.S. Senate. Sittler also led the Muhlenberg College Band in Allentown, PA 1955.

Turning down an offer from the Richmond Symphony, Philip began his 35 year career with Bethlehem Steel in the Finance Department. He joined the company in 1956 in the Credit Division, and subsequently was promoted to General Credit Manager, followed by Manager of Insurance until retirement in 1991. Phil Sittler was also a graduate of the Graduate School of Credit & Financial Management at Harvard University. He served as a member of the Credit Research Foundation & the Sub-Committee on Risk Management of the American Iron & Steel Institute.

Other organizations in which he held membership were Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Musical Fraternity of America, American Legion and the Country Club of Roswell.

Phil was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin and friend to many. He is survived by his wife, Mary of 64 years and sons, John Sittler of Alpharetta, GA and Peter Sittler of Henderson, NV. and John’s wife, Mary and three granddaughters: Jacqueline McKinney, Jennifer Sittler and Julianne Sittler, Peter’s wife, Ada and two grandchildren: Sofia Ciccolo & Michael Ciccolo, sister-in-law, Shirley Harter, brother-in-law, Edward Kozelnicky, and god-sons: David, Eric & Paul Nelson, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Memorial Service was held at Alpharetta First United Methodist Church on February 13th. A replay of the service can be found at: https://vimeo.com/511200924/3e3e50fb6f
After the Pandemic at a date to be decided, Phil’s remains will be interred in the Sittler Family Burial Plot at St. Paul’s Union Church Cemetery, Trexlertown, PA.

Memorial gifts may be given to the Salvation Army, 1424 Northeast Expy, Atlanta, GA 30329 or a charity of choice.

“I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.” (John 5:28)