Ph D. Bruno M. Vittimberga

Bruno Martino Vittimberga, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus at URI, of Kingston, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at the age of 82. He was the beloved husband of Dr. Jacklyn (Someroski) Vittimberga for 53 years. Bruno was born in Watertown MA on September 21, 1929 to the late Antonio and Bernardina (Nicotera) Vittimberga, originally from Isola di Capo Rizzuto, Italy. In addition to his wife Jacklyn, he is survived by his daughters, Dr. Gwenn Vittimberga of Barrington and Gail Vittimberga Gay of Connecticut, and his son, Anthony Vittimberga of California. Bruno also leaves six grandchildren: Lan, Mei, Madeleine, Christian, Marina, and Cara. Bruno was predeceased by his daughter Dr. Glenda Vittimberga. Professor Vittimberga graduated from Watertown High School, and after many years of formal violin study, which included attaining the position of concert master at his youth orchestra, he decided on a career in chemistry. He received a B.S. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Masters Degree at the University of Rhode Island. He then earned a Ph.D. in organic chemistry at the University of Illinois, followed by a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at Cornell University. Professor Vittimberga began his career in 1958 at Rohm and Haas Company in Philadelphia, where he remained until 1961. During his tenure at the company, he participated in the development of several patents. While in Philadelphia, he also lectured in chemistry at Holy Family College. Professor Vittimberga started at URI in 1961 where he worked until his retirement in 2008. He taught courses in undergraduate and graduate organic chemistry, as well as supervising graduate research. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he spent much of his available time engaging in research, resulting in many published papers. Bruno presented his research to academic and professional groups in seminars around the world. He spent two sabbatical leaves in Italy at the Polytechnic Institute of Milan, directing the research of post-doctoral assistants and lecturing in his native Italian, resulting in a continuing collaboration which brought professors from the Polytechnic to URI and other American universities. He also lectured in Portugal under the auspices of a Fulbright grant. Professor Vittimberga was a member of professional societies including the American Chemical Society, Society of Sigma Xi, Phi Lambda Upsilon, Alpha Chi Sigma, and the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. He was active in service to the university through his participation in numerous committees, such as serving as the Chemistry Department liaison to the German Department to develop a program with German chemical companies In addition to his work at URI, Professor Vittimberga was sought out as a professional consultant to several industries, particularly the metals industry. He consulted at Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut, Sheidow Bronze Corporation, Gorham Manufacturing Company, and Texas Instruments, Inc. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, July 28, 2012 at 10am at Christ the King Church, 180 Old North Road, Kingston. Visiting hours will be held from 3-5pm on Friday, July 27, 2012 at Avery–Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia Street, Wakefield. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations to the URI Foundation, Chemistry Department be sent to 79 Upper College Road, Kingston, RI 02881.