Keith Chittenden, Managing Director of Marconi Radar Systems at the time of his retirement, passed away on Saturday 12th January aged 84. Â He is survived by his wife Sylvia, his daughter Sandra and his son Jeremy.
Keith was born at Ipswich in 1934 and was educated at Hymers College Hull, Nottingham High School, and Imperial College, University of London, where he gained a BSc Honours degree.
In 1955 he joined Elliott Bros., Borehamwood, starting as an engineer and progressing to Senior Engineer and Project Leader. Â In 1962 he transferred to Elliott Space and Weapon Automation Systems, Frimley, Surrey, which was later absorbed into Marconi Space and Defence Systems, becoming Assistant Chief Engineer and then Project Manager DN181 ‘Blindfire’ Radar development. After several years as Divisional Manager, Radar and Missile Systems Division, he was appointed Deputy General Manager in 1978 and General Manager in 1981.
He was appointed Managing Director at Marconi Radar Systems at Chelmsford from 1982 until his retirement towards the end of the decade in about 1987.
An article written by Keith is included in the MVA Newsletter for 2009 at https://www.marconi-veterans.com/?p=490&page=22
A service commemorating his life will be held at Holy Trinity Church, Minchinhampton at 2pm on Tuesday 29th January.