Titter was born on 25 September 1930 in New Plymouth,[1][2] the son of William Bernard John Titter and Murial Alison (née Hunt). He attended Central School in New Plymouth and then New Plymouth Boys' High School from 1944 to 1948.[1][3] He graduated from Victoria University College in 1952 or 1953 (sources differ) with a Bachelor of Commerce degree,[1][4] and became a chartered accountant, business consultant and company director, serving on the boards of companies including Trustpower, Fernz Corporation and Port of Tauranga Limited.[5] He was appointed to a number of public administrative roles by the New Zealand government, including: commissioner of the Auckland Area Health Board in 1989[1] after the board was sacked by then Minister of Health, Helen Clark; secretary of defence in 1990; and chair of the Northern Regional Health Authority.[5][6][7]
In 1998, Titter was elected pro-chancellor of the University of Auckland, having served on the university's council since 1992.[5]
In the 1990 Queen's Birthday Honours, Titter was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George, for services to business management and the community.[8] In 2001, he was conferred with an honorary doctorate by the University of Auckland.[9]
In 1955, Titter married Margaret Jensen; they were to have three sons and one daughter.[1] Titter was predeceased by his wife in 2016.[10] He died on 18 February 2022, at the age of 91.[11]