Dick was born in Chicago, Illinois to Joyce and Earl Whittaker on May 5, 1945. Dick grew up in Chicago, Minneapolis, and Las Vegas - where he graduated from Western High School. He went on to study at Grace Christian University - formerly, Grace Bible College. Early in his career, Dick worked for several years as an arson investigator, closely with the ATF and as an expert witness in court hearings.
He later pursued a career in the ministry and served as a Pastor for 40 years including at Grace Bible Church in Las Vegas and Grace Memorial Church & Sun Country Church in Colorado. He was a gun enthusiast who liked to go shooting in his free time, eventually becoming a certified instructor with the NRA. Dick was also a ham radio operator and passed that hobby down to his son, David. You could find him under callsign N7LXJ. Most recently, Dick was a member of the ministry team at Beacon Light Community Church.
Dick was preceded in death by: parents, Earl L. Whittaker and Joyce E. Lenger; and brother, Larry Whittaker.
Dick is survived by: wife of 59 years, Patricia Whittaker; sons, John Whittaker, and David and his wife Kelly Whittaker; grandchildren, Meighan, Craig, Ellie, Chynna, Jack, Raquel, and Alexa; siblings, Tom Whittaker, and Pam MacDonald; several nieces and nephews; and close friends, Glenn Rotkovich, and Don Bruszer.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Beacon Light Community Church by mailing a check or money order to the church address, 6031 E Apple Ave, Muskegon, MI 49442 or digitally via the official church CashApp account: $BeaconLightChurch.
