Barthel Howard Wittman

Feb. 13, 1919 - May 1, 2007

Although he never wrote a book, his life speaks volumes to many. Barthel Howard (Bob) Wittman was born Feb. 13, 1919, to Clara Weber and George Wittman in Lewiston. Bob was the second oldest of eight children. The family relocated from Uniontown to a farm on McCormack Ridge outside of Lewiston in 1925. He graduated from Culdesac High School in 1938 in a class of 16.

He served his country from 1945-47 in the U.S. Army stationed in Hawaii.

He married Patricia Ann Cummerford on June 11, 1949, and together they had nine children.

Three sisters preceded him in death, Patty Ann at 21/2, Charlotte at 70 and Kathryn at 72. His youngest brother Daniel passed away four years ago at age 72.

Wittman Farms has been a successful enterprise, and is noted for its commodities of "Kids, Crops and Cattle"! The Wittman Brothers were named Conservation Farmer of the Year in 1958. Bob and his brothers, Marvin and Dan, farmed on Webb and McCormack ridges from the time of his release from the Army in 1947 until his retirement in 1984. Since that time his son Robert and nephews have maintained the family farm. In that endeavor he was recognized by the Lewiston Chamber of Commerce as an Outstanding Farm Citizen in 1978.

Bob had served on numerous boards and commissions throughout his blessed life.

In 1957, Bob participated as a member of a trade delegation known as the U.S. Wheat Grower Mission in a trade mission to Tokyo, and Seoul, South Korea, for the purpose of introducing soft white wheat into the dietary and cultural habits of Southeast Asia. Following that trade mission, the consumption and export of soft white wheat into those markets significantly increased. Bob served on the Pea and Lentil Commission and the Idaho Wheat Commission from 1965-67. Bob was a longtime commissioner for the Port of Lewiston, having served in the capacity of commissioner from 1967 through 1989, and as chairman from 1969 through 1987.

As a charter member of the Lewis-Clark State College Educational Assistance and Development Foundation, the Idaho State Board of Education recognized Bob for his personal contributions to the college and the Lewiston-Clarkston communities by renaming the Industrial Agriculture Center the Wittman Complex. In 1991, he was awarded an honorary degree from Lewis-Clark State for his work in the community and the college. This was truly a proud moment, as he walked the aisle with his youngest daughter Lynda, as she too received her degree that year. This was a special moment for Bob, because he placed such a high priority on his children's and others' education, and since he missed the opportunity for his own collegiate education.

Bob served as a director for Lewiston Grain Growers, a local grain handling, marketing and farm supply cooperative, from 1959 to 1968. He served 14 years as director for Lewis-Clark Production Credit Association, a local association that was eventually consolidated into Northwest Farm Credit Services, an agricultural finance cooperative. He served on the Nez Perce County Soil and Water Conservation District Board for 10 years. Other affiliations include Benevolent Protective Order of Elks lifetime member, Knights of Columbus, and in 1989, he received a lifetime membership in recognition of his service on the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association. Bob was also an active supporter of the Idaho Youth Ranch.

He had been an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lapwai and more recently, St. Stanislaus Parish in Lewiston.

Bob and his wife of 58 years, Patricia, volunteered at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center for 16 years; Bob was recognized as Volunteer of the Year for his many hours of service in 2001. He and Pat never missed a Thursday. Bob organized prescription receipts, delivered the mail and Pat was always to be found at the blood pressure station. He volunteered there until he was 87 years of age.

Bob is survived by his wife, Pat at their Lewiston home; his brother, Marvin and Helen Wittman of Lewiston; and three sisters, Ivora Ward of Clarkston, Joan and Bo Morgan of Bellevue, Wash., and Lorraine Wilkerson of Clarkston; their nine children: Charlee and Tom Magnus and their two boys, Bradly and Frederick of Coeur d'Alene; Cheryl and Bob Bielenberg of Genesee and their children, Courtney, Blake and Patrick; Robert and Karen Wittman of Lapwai and their children Nicholas, Andrew and James; Connie and Bart Baranco of Everett, Wash., and their children Teniel, Polly, Joseph, Anthony, Michael, Paige and Haili; Mike and Laurey Wittman of Bellevue, Wash., and their children Zachary and Cameron; Ron and Karen Wittman of Lewiston and their children Dustin and Didi; Harold and Cheron Wittman of Milton, Wash., and their children, Connor and Brynn; Lyssa and Steve Kopke of Coeur d'Alene and their children Kaila, Marjorie, Elizabeth, John and Ben; Lynda and John Mors of Ventura, Calif., and their children Matt, Ben and Alyssa. This is a total of 29 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, and does not begin to count all of Bob's nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family has established an LCSC B.H. Wittman Memorial Scholarship fund. Memorials will be accepted at any Potlatch No. 1 Federal Credit Union branch.

The vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, May 4, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Lewiston. The funeral service will be held at noon Saturday, May 5, at St. Stanislaus. Graveside service will follow at Lewis-Clark Memorial Gardens in the Lewiston Orchards. All are welcome to join the family in a meal at Williams Conference Center on the LCSC campus immediately following interment.