William H. Genge, 82, Was Advertising Executive

William H. Genge of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Chilmark, former chairman of Ketchum Communications and one deeply committed to philanthropy and the environment, died on Thursday, Nov. 24, in Pittsburgh of a massive stroke. He was 82.

A native of Warren, Pa., Mr. Genge was a World War II pilot who spent nearly a year as a prisoner of war in Germany after his plane was shot down in 1944.

Mr. Genge, a graduate of Pitt as well as Harvard University's International Marketing Institute, turned a passion for writing into an advertising career in which he worked his way up at Ketchum from account executive to president in 1970 and later its chief executive.

From 1979 through 1991, he was chairman and chief executive officer of Ketchum, a firm that operated among its ventures one of the nation's largest advertising agencies.

In the advertising world, Mr. Genge was known for achievements with a firm that helped place Pittsburgh on the industry's map. He loved Pittsburgh, his daughter Deborah Genge Dick said, and he was determined to keep Ketchum headquartered there during his tenure.

Aside from a long and successful career in advertising, Mr. Genge served as a University of Pittsburgh trustee, a member of the board of directors of Allegheny General Hospital and the Pittsburgh Symphony Society.

"Bill was one of the longest-serving, most actively engaged and intensely loyal members of the University of Pittsburgh's board trustees," said Pitt chancellor Mark Nordenburg. "He also was a true gentleman who will be deeply missed within the Pitt community."

Mr. Genge vacationed on the Vineyard every summer for the last 35 years, and he had been a seasonal visitor to the Allen Farm since 1998. He enjoyed canoeing in Chilmark Pond and sailing on Menemsha Pond.

He was the Allen Farm's first customer, years before the farm opened its shop. After meeting Clarissa Allen's partner Sharon Edell one day, he and his wife visited the farm and fell in love with the handmade products and bought them all.

From 1998 on, he and his family were July visitors at the farmhouse at the Allen Farm.

In addition to his daughter, who is a resident of Pittsburgh and Chilmark, he is survived by a son, William Dean Genge, of Aspinwall, Pa., and five grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife of 46 years, Beverly, who died in 1991.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council, 100 Sheridan Square, Pittsburgh, PA 15206; to Radio Information Service, 2100 Wharton street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203, or to the Chilmark Public Library, P.O. Box 180, Chilmark MA 02535.