William P. Altman

William “Bill” Altman, 83, of Sarasota, Florida, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, February 11, 2022, at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Bill was born in Bridgeport, West Virginia, to Evelyn and William Altman on July 29, 1938. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister, Anna Marie Reiter, a nephew, Jeffrey Reiter and his sister-in-law, Michael Ann “Mikie” Gainer. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sally Gainer Altman, who was his high school sweetheart, and their only son, Eric Altman (Joe) of Walnut, California. In addition to his wife and son, he is also survived by his sister, Sheila Peterson, Grayslake, Illinois; brother-in-law, Hugh Gainer, Bridgeport, West Virginia; niece, Marni Lynn Brzezinski (John), Crystal Lake, Illinois; nephew, David Reiter (Angela), West End, North Carolina; nephew, Scott Gainer (Tawnie), Bridgeport, West Virginia; great niece Ashley Reiter; great nephews, Matthew Brzezinski, Nicholas Brzezinski, Micah Gainer and Matthew Gainer. Bill had several Altman and Cleer cousins, plus extended family members and a multitude of friends who were very special to him. Bill graduated from Bridgeport High School in 1956. He was an avid athlete, lettering in football, basketball, and baseball. Bill quarterbacked his high school football team to the school’s first state championship win in 1955—calling his own plays! In the Fall of 1956, he entered West Virginia University’s School of Engineering. Bill graduated from West Virginia University in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering and received his Master of Science Degree in Applied Mathematics a year later. Bill was an active member of Sphinx, Senior Men’s Honorary, Alpha Pi Mu, Industrial Engineering Honorary and AIIE. He was in the ROTC Program and upon graduation began an interim position with General Electric in Louisville, Kentucky, prior to beginning his tour of duty in the United States Army as a commissioned officer. Bill was stationed at Joliet Arsenal in Wilmington, Illinois, in the Procurement Division, where he and Sally made lifelong friends. After serving his tour of duty, he stayed in the Reserves for several years. Upon being discharged from the U.S. Army, Bill accepted a job with Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., in Chicago, Illinois. This began a long career of consulting and restructuring companies all over the U. S. and Europe. Bill served in executive leadership capacities for the Jewel Companies, Chicago, Illinois (Osco Drug Division); George Weston, Ltd., Toronto, Canada (Tamblyn Drug Division); Peter J. Schmidt, Buffalo, New York; Louis A. Zahn Drug Company, Chicago, Illinois; A. L. Laboratories, Ft. Lee, New Jersey; Barre Laboratories, Baltimore, Maryland; Bespak Pharmaceuticals, Kings Lynn, England and Raleigh, North Carolina; Technology Applications Group, Inc. (Tagnite Precision Coatings for Magnesium), Grand Forks, North Dakota; and then his own independent consulting firm. This business background added up to 40 years in international pharmaceuticals, consumer products and management consulting—including 28 years as President/CEO with several of the companies above. In semi-retirement, Bill and Sally moved to a home at Maple Lake, Bridgeport, West Virginia where they reconnected with family and long-time friends. Bill loved the “Lake”—sitting on the dock and jogging to keep fit—and enjoyed golfing with a group of close family and friends, weather permitting. Once the snow got too deep, he and Sally relocated to Sarasota, Florida to become full time residents at Stoneybrook, Palmer Ranch. It was there that Bill fulfilled his lifelong dream of living on a golf course, perfecting his golf swing, and walking the community wearing his favorite West Virginia ball cap. Stoneybrook is a community that “gives back,” and Bill actively supported the Armed Forces Golf Tournament, Breast Health Sarasota Golf Tournament, as well as other charities in Sarasota and beyond. Never one to be too idle and care-free, Bill became active in the Stoneybrook Community serving on various committees, including Finance, Food & Beverage, Governance, House, and Long-Range Planning. He was elected to the Board of Directors for Stoneybrook Golf & Country Club as a Governor, and in that capacity, served multiple terms as Board President. Currently, he was the Voting Rep for the MacGregor Pines HOA Board. For two years he served on the Palmer Ranch Master Association Board as Treasurer. Bill’s golf group, the Friday Follies, has been a source of fun and comradery for over 20 years. The “Follies” is not just a golf group, but a group that included spouses and significant others, offering fun times, as well as love and support for all in times of need. A Celebration of Life will be held in late March in Sarasota, Florida at Stoneybrook Golf & Country Club, Palmer Ranch, and in late July in Bridgeport, West Virginia. Bill loved sharing stories, so this will be a time for all to do that. Arrangements have been entrusted to Toale Brothers Funeral Home, www.toalebrothers.com In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the charity of your choice, or to: Children First, Sarasota, FL (www.childrenfirst.net); First Tee, Sarasota/Manatee, FL (www.firstteesarasotamanatee.org); First United Methodist Church, Sarasota, FL (www.firstsrq.com); or Bridgeport United Methodist Church, Bridgeport, WV (www.bridgeportumc.org). REQUIESCAT IN PACE

Tributes

William P. Altman

July 29, 1938 - February 11, 2022