|
Rev. Dr. Robert H(arold) Whitaker passed away April 24, 2010. He was born December 17, 1918, in Malden, Mass., to Harold Alden Whitaker and Beulah Maud (Ray). An Episcopal priest and educator, he earned a BA-cum laude, New Testament Greek, Gordon College, Mass.; MA, Philosophy, Boston University, and BD-cum laude, Episcopal Divinity School, Cambridge. His ministry began as a Lay Vicar at St. Paul's Beachmont, Revere, Mass.; and Asst. Priest at Trinity Church on the Green, New Haven, CT. He began doctoral studies at Harvard and Yale Divinity Schools, but paused his education to serve as Chaplain during WWII at the US Naval Base, Manus, Admiralty Islands; 301st USNCB, Guam; and the USNAB, Tinian, Marianas. After the War, he completed his PhD in Church History at New College, Univ. of Edinburgh, Scotland and was a Visiting Guest Priest at the Cathedral Church of St. Mary. After graduation he was Asst. Prof. of Church History & Philosophy, St. Andrew's Theological Seminary-Quezon City, Philippines. In 1952 he was Visiting Assoc. Prof. of Philosophy & Religion, Bexley Hall-Kenyon College, OH. He served as Interim Priest at St. John's, Bisbee, AZ, and then was Chaplain at the Episcopal Student Foundation, Univ. of Michigan-Ann Arbor, where he met and married Eunice Ngit Kwai Tom in 1956. During their courtship and first year of marriage he served as Assoc. Priest at Grace Church, Mt. Clemens, MI. In 1957 he helped found the School of Theology (SoT) of the Diocese of MI, and served as dean and director of studies. Upon his retirement in 1985, the school was renamed The Robert H Whitaker School of Theology. During his years at the SoT, he was known for his ecumenical work. He served as Secretary for the Lutheran-Episcopal Dialogue, was Adj. Prof. of Ecumenism, St. John Provincial Seminary, Plymouth, MI, and helped establish educational programs for permanent deacons in the local Roman Catholic archdiocese. An outspoken human rights advocate, he hosted "Let's See," a TV talk show on WJBK during the civil rights movement, and marched with 400,000 people in Detroit in the days of Martin Luther King, Jr. He was COB of Examining Chaplains, served on the Exploratory Comm. on the Feasibility of Ecumenical Theological Education in Greater Detroit, was Adj. Prof. at Univ. Detroit, and Priest-in-Charge for 15 yrs at Church of Our Saviour, Detroit. He completed a 3rd MA at Univ. of Windsor, ONT, CAN '69, and then served as Adj. Prof. of New Testament & Christian Thought. During his "retirement" in NM he continued to serve the Church as Interim Priest at St. Chad's (ABQ), St. Simon's (Rio Rancho), Epiphany (Socorro), and as Supply Priest at St. John's Cathedral (ABQ). On March 22, 2010, he celebrated the 66th anniversary of his ordination as a priest. He was active in the community as an usher at Albuquerque Little Theatre and Popejoy Hall, and served as President, Treasurer and Board Member of Pueblo Los Cerros (Corrales) until moving to La Vida Llena LifeCare Community. A patient and loving husband, father, grandfather and brother, he enjoyed reading, gardening, swimming, and his Siamese cats. He is survived by Eunice, his wife of over 53 years; daughters-Maria of Ann Arbor, MI; Monica of ABQ, NM; Martha (Jim Leenhouts) of Tucson, AZ; grandchildren-Isabella Whitaker, and twins Rachel Whitaker & Robert Leenhouts; sister, Ruth (William) Lucas, of Cathedral City, CA. Memorial services will be held at the Cathedral of St. John, in Albuquerque on Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. John's Cathedral Endowment, St. Chad's Foundation (ABQ), The Robert H Whitaker School of Theology (Detroit), or the educational institution of your choice. Those who wish to express condolences may do so at www.danielsfuneral.com. Mr. Whitaker's care has been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services 7601 Wyoming Blvd, NE Albuquerque, NM 87109 (505) 821-0010
|
