Martha, being the only daughter of Marie and Carl Hittenberger, founders of C. H. Hittenberger Co, one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of prosthetic and orthopedic devices, was born in San Francisco on September 20, 1915. After working in virtually every aspect of the firm-from corsets to accounting, she assumed an executive role in the company, a rather uncommon role for a woman of her day. With her brother, Herman Hittenberger, and other family members, the company grew to over 100 employees and gained an international reputation for quality service and technical innovation. Always treating people with respect and kindness, she retired in 1991 after 65 years of helping the handicapped. She lived to see the 100th anniversary of her family’s business. Martha was a member of St. Paulus Lutheran Church, Eastern Star, Golden Gate Chapter #1 and the Daughters of the Nile, Islam Temple #25. Martha is survived by her husband, Kenneth Schluter, and her brother, Herman Hittenberger.
