Layton D. 'Rusty' Crytzerof Natrona Heights, PALayton D. 'Rusty' Crytzer, 82, of Natrona Heights, PA, died on Sunday, January 16, 2011 at the Good Samaritan Hospice, Cabot, PA.Mr. Crytzer was born on April 11, 1928 in the Campton area of Natrona Heights, PA to the late Gerald Alden and Esther Pierce Crytzer and has lived in the area all his life. He served in the United States Navy during peacetime. He served aboard the USS Yellowstone. He also served in the Naval Reserves for eight years. Rusty graduated from Har-Brack High School (now Highlands High School) in 1946. He attended Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, and graduated in 1951. During this time Rusty worked at General Motors Delco Division, in Rochester. For a short time after he returned to Pennsylvania, he worked with his father in the construction business. He began his career working at PPG research in Creighton, from 1954 through 1956. From 1957 through 1993 he was employed at Allegheny Ludlum Research Center, in Natrona Heights, working as a Senior Test Engineer in the Magnetic Materials Department. While working at Allegheny Ludlum he was awarded many patents. Rusty retired in 1993 after 36 years of service. He remained as a consultant to Allegheny Ludlum Technical Center for 6 years. Mr. Crytzer was a great grandson of Richard Bird, who came to this area in 1851, from Schropshire, England, and for whom the town of Birdville was named. Rusty was always proud of that fact. Later in his life he wrote a small booklet containing more information about this event. Mr. Crytzer was of the Christian faith. He was a life member of Citizens Volunteer Hose Company, Natrona Heights; a life member of the American Legion, Post 226, in Brackenridge, and a former member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 894, in Natrona Heights. Rusty has been involved, for over 55 years, in the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBSQSA), starting in the early 1950's. He has served most of those years as the Director of the Alle-Kiski Barbershop Chorus. He retired from the Barbershop Chorus in 2007. Over the years, he has arranged more than 400 songs for them, and has twice been selected by his peers as the 'Barbershopper of the Year'. Rusty worked with Boy Scout Troop 184, and was involved with Little League Baseball for 6 years. He was a member of AARP. Rusty was also a Registered Locksmith for many years.He is survived by his wife of 26 years: Janice C. Harkleroad Crytzer; his children: Thomas A. (Sherrie) Crytzer of New Kensington, George M. Crytzer of Virginia Beach, VA and Nancy Crytzer Egan of Export, PA; 6 grandchildren: Cindy, Sara and Ryan Crytzer, children of Thomas Crytzer, Daragh and Colin Egan, children of Nancy Crytzer Egan, and Rhiannon Crytzer, daughter of George Crytzer. He is also survived by a great grandson, Layton Michael Crytzer, son of Ryan Crytzer. Half-brothers and half "sisters surviving Mr. Crytzer are Anita Lloyd of Lower Burrell, Janet Ackerman of Farmington, PA, David Crytzer of North Carolina, Paul Crytzer of Sarver and Joel Crytzer of Vermont.He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother: Richard Crytzer (1980) and his sister: Joanne Crytzer (2005) and his step-mother: Irene Mizer Crytzer. Family and friends are invited from 2-4 and 7-9 PM on Wednesday to the ROBERT PETERS FUNERAL HOME, INC., 1521 Freeport Road, Natrona Heights, PA (724-224-7730), where services will be at 11AM on Thursday, with Pam Bonnett, minister of visitation, officiating. Private burial will follow at Mt. Airy Cemetery, Natrona Heights. Citizens Hose will meet at 7 PM in the funeral home followed by the Alle_Kiski Barbershop Chorus at 7:30 PM. For online condolences, please visit us at www.petersfamilyfuneralhomes.com. Memorial Contributions can be made to: Meal on Wheels of Natrona Heights, 965 Burtner Road, Natrona Heights, PA 15065

---

 Service Information