Carl F. Leitten, 77, of Lenoir City, died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009.
Born in Hamburg, N.Y., Carl received a B.S. in Metallurgy from the University of Notre Dame in 1954 and a M.S. in Metallurgy/Physics from the University of Tennessee in 1960. His prolific professional career spanned over 50 years with domestic and international experience in the development, production, and marketing of advanced materials and systems. Upon graduation from Notre Dame, Carl joined the staff of the Metals and Ceramics Division at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

In 1960 he accepted an invitation from the Danish Atomic Energy Commission as a Technical Expert in the field of Nonferrous Metallurgy under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency. After his time in Denmark, Carl returned to work at ORNL and enjoyed a distinguished career with Union Carbide in Oak Ridge, Indianapolis, Cleveland and New York City. After retiring from Carbide, Carl joined Stackpole Carbon as a consultant in developing new markets for graphite products.

In 1990 Carl returned to Oak Ridge National Labs (operated by Martin Marietta) and was involved in initiating development programs with non-DOE government sponsors and United States industry. He retired from ORNL in 2005.  Carl's active hobbies included woodworking, stamp collecting, traveling, and all forms of fishing, especially in the northern waters of the United States and Canada.

His parents, Mary and Carl Leitten; and his son, Michael, preceded Carl in death. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Audrey; his two grown children, Kevin Leitten (wife Lisa) and Catherine Wertenberger (husband Nevin); his daughter-in-law, Alexandra Leitten; his brothers, Richard, David, and James; his sisters, Mary, Teresa, and Beth; his mother-in-law Ethel Loy; and eight grandsons.

In lieu of flowers, family requests that memorial donations be made to St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church, 1570 St. Thomas Way, Lenoir City, TN 37772.  A Funeral Mass will be held Nov. 9, at 11 a.m. at the St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church in Lenoir City. Family and friends will gather at 3 p.m. Monday in the Sinking Springs Cemetery in Clinton for graveside services and interment.
Click Funeral Home of Lenoir City is in charge of arrangements. www.clickfuneralhome.com.