Kenneth A. De Ghetto, Ph.D, P.E., a retired chairman of the board of Foster Wheeler and a World War II veteran, died at home in Livingston on September 27. Visitation was held at the Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home in Livingston. Born April 1, 1924 in Clifton, he was graduated from Clifton High School in 1941 and entered the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. When World War II began, Dr. DeGhetto became a cadet midshipman transporting war supplies to Glasgow and Casablanca. He returned to the Academy and received a third assistant marine engineer's license. Dr. DeGhetto was later activated as an ensign in the U.S. Navy. He served on the USS Cimarron AO22 in the Pacific Theater, and later aboard the USS Taconic. He resigned from the Navy in 1946 with the rank of lieutenant. Dr. DeGhetto was graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in June, 1950. He held professional engineering licenses in four states. He began working at Foster Wheeler Corporation in 1951 as a project engineer and retired 51 years later. He became chairman in 1975, and was chairman of the board from 1982 to 1987. A director of the Metro YMCA of the Oranges since 2003, he was active in the Rotary Club of Livingston and in several professional and educational organizations. Dr. DeGhetto is survived by his wife of 72 years, Helen (nee Schack); his daughter, Donna MacConnel; his son, Glenn; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the Metro “Y” of the Oranges, 139 East McClellan Avenue, Livingston, NJ 07039, http://www.metroymcas.org.
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