Fred "Chip" Hummel Bargetzi

Fred “Chip” Hummel Bargetzi, III passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at the age of 53. Fred transformed workplace technology during his 30 year career at Crestron Electronics. As the CTO, he oversaw all aspects of the people and technologies that make Crestron synonymous with innovation in smart workplaces and homes. His efforts have touched the places people learn, live, and work on every continent and in every industry. Leading a global team of over 700 engineers focused on wide ranging technologies from control and automation to digital content distribution, he fundamentally reshaped Crestron and the broader AV industry. Changing an industry from analog to digital, isolated to networked, proprietary to open, wired to wireless – his efforts reshaped workplace technology as we know it, greatly changing the workplace of today and tomorrow. Widely respected as a mentor and role model, his people-first approach resulted in countless industry awards and patents. With a unique ability to spot technological trends, overcome objections and articulate an actionable vision, he lead cross-functional development teams resulting in transformative corporate growth, keeping the people and technology of Crestron one step ahead of the competition. Fred held a bachelor’s degree of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Buffalo and was a frequent speaker at industry conferences discussing new technology, the future of work and the impacts it will have on residences and workplaces around the globe. A car enthusiast, tinkerer and inventor, he was best known for his warm smile, quick wit and passion for his family. He is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Beth; daughter Madison; son Alex and mother Gloria. Beloved Uncle to Daniel, Emily, James, Rebecca and Katherine Bell as well as Jackie Czel. To view Fred’s funeral being live streamed on Friday, January 8, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. please visit VPFH-FB.com. Contributions in his memory may be made to https://ccals.org/ click on “Search Tributes tab” type in Fred “Chip” Bargetzi. Arrangements are by the Vander Plaat Funeral Home of Wyckoff (vpfh.com)