Eugene Wayne Pittenger

HYANNIS – Eugene W. (Russ) Pittenger, 91, of Hyannis, MA passed away on October 16, 2025, at Cape Cod Hospital after a brief illness, embraced by his loved ones. Son of Robert E., and Ethel (Moore) Pittenger, Russ was born in Glasgow, Montana.

Eugene was predeceased by his first wife, Lorella and his three sisters, Rita Huntley, Barbara Reynolds and Charlene Clark. Eugene is survived by his wife, Natalie Pittenger and his sons, Robert and daughter-in-law Kirsten, and Brian and daughter-in-law Jennifer. He was especially fond of his five grandchildren, Christopher, Matthew, Amanda, Bryson and Jason Pittenger.

Volunteering for the draft during the Korean War, Russ was accepted into Pilot Training as an aviation cadet class 55P in the United States Air Force and was awarded silver wings and second lieutenant bars on June 15, 1955. AF then sent him to FAA air traffic control school and then on to Korea. He continued his AF career by going to heavy transport training and flying C-124 aircraft and flew thousands of hours as aircraft commander, pilot, pilot instructor with the Military Transport Service.

The USAF sent Eugene to University of Michigan where he graduated with a BBA. Upon graduation AF assigned Russ to the Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories. His next AF assignment took him to Air Force Headquarters in Saigon, Viet Nam. Russ retired from USAF after 22 years having earned the AF Meritorious Service Medal, AF Commendation Medal, and various service and theater medals and ribbons.

Russ then joined Digital Equipment Corporation and participated in information services and operations, retiring again in 1993.

In lieu of flowers please consider a contribution to St. Jude’s Hospital in Eugene’s name.

The Military burial ceremony will be held at Bourne National Cemetery on November 5, 2025, at 1:15 pm.