Article Number : 1424 |
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| Date | 10/20/2006 9:43:58 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=1424 |
| Abstract | Berkley, Ill.—Bernie Wittlinger was a raconteur without equal and had an endless inventory of jokes, amusing stories and humorous anecdotes. He was a master of dialects with an uncanny sense of timing. There were so many evenings he regaled audiences with his comedic offerings... |
| Article | Berkley, Ill.—Bernie Wittlinger was a raconteur without equal and had an endless inventory of jokes, amusing stories and humorous anecdotes. He was a master of dialects with an uncanny sense of timing. There were so many evenings he regaled audiences with his comedic offerings. His ebullience and affability served him well in business and made him an outstanding sales executive for most of his 40 years in the carpet industry. In failing health, he underwent surgery for a brain tumor on Sept. 1 at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital and passed away on Sept. 15. He was 73. He was born in New York City on Feb. 2, 1933. In 1950, he enlisted in the Army and served during the Korean conflict. After his discharge in 1953, he relocated to the Chicago area where he met his wife and began his career. In 1958, he became a salesman for Forest Mills. In 1959, he was a patient in a veterans hospital and met Frances Doyle, a volunteer; they were married the following year. In 1965, Wittlinger joined Aldon Rug Mills and five years later, was named vice president of Midwest sales for James Carpet. In 1972, he became vice president of national accounts for Normandy Carpets. By this time the young executive compiled an enviable record and established a reputation as an outstanding salesman and inspiring leader. In 1978, he joined Kimberly Carpets, division of Diamond Rug & Carpet Mills, as national sales manager. In 1981, Galaxy Carpet Mills needed a national sales manager for its Nautilus division and tapped Wittlinger. He held that position for 11 years and then moved to the parent company as national accounts manager. When Mohawk acquired Galaxy, he became vice president of national accounts for the division. In 1998, he retired and devoted much of his time to treatments for debilitating ailments. He battled cancer for more than 14 years and he never complained and never felt sorry for himself. And he never stopped telling jokes. Wittlinger was a dedicated member of the Chicago Floorcovering Association (CFA) and spent as much as his available time as possible on committees and various activities. He served two terms as president, 1968 and 1969. In 1997, CFA named him Person of the Year. An excerpt from the eulogy given by his son, Greg, senior vice president of marketing, The Mohawk Group, was poignant and noteworthy: “He was much more than a father to me, he was my idol, my hero and my best friend. To me, he had it all—wit, charm, passion (he was so very passionate about life), sense of humor (he was a storyteller, he would mesmerize people with his stories). He was fun, unpredictable, good looking (he would have been upset had I not said that). He was obviously modest, smart, caring, giving, a great listener, a gentleman, a true friend, a loving husband, and the bravest person I have ever known. Most importantly, he was a terrific father.” Therein is the measure of the man. Greg Wittlinger concluded, as a grateful industry would: “As one famous comedian used to say, ‘Thanks for the memories.’” Survivors include his wife, Frances, of 46 years; a son, Gregory; daughters Therese Gatz and Lisa Siler; six grandchildren, and brothers, Fred and Brendan, who was his twin. |