Richard stretched traditional boundaries to give more students the opportunity to pursue their dreams of a BA degree. As a member of the faculty, and from time to time, I felt that this student or that one should have been better prepared for university education. But as I went beyond my own heavily conditioned thinking and thought about what education truly is and is meant to achieve – in that classic Platonic use of the term, I faced the challenge of meeting my students wherever they were, and strove to individuate and facilitate the best learning I possibly could. And as I watched, I witnessed growing self-confidence and self-assurance in students who had arrived on the campus with little belief in themselves, and left with a sense of optimism and inspiration to achieve even greater heights. And many did!
Still today, some of the most intelligent and promising people never reach their potential due to selective door-closing and a lack of opportunity to demonstrate their own God-given mode(s) of intelligence.  Compassionate inclusion based on holistic assessment and promise is a good thing.
Thanks again, Richard. I still 'see' you!

Yes, Richard  had a great smile and was congenial and a champion of social justice.  Sincere applause warranted.  *And* Richard was so conflict avoidant as to allow unprofessional behavior of favored junior staff to undermine institutional success- even at the risk of running off less favored but no less talented colleagues.  He couldn’t make the hard decisions necessary to effectively lead, instead opting to be cheerfully inadequate.  

I liked Richard as a human being.  But he left much to bd desired as a senior leader in higher education.

Ahhh, Richard the hard and tireless worker, social justice advocate, patient warrior, and kind, compassionate all-around  torch bearer  and holistic benefactor for a generation of faculty, staff, and students during the hay days of Antioch University, Santa Barbara.
Rest in highest peace, dear friend.
Hymon Johnson

So sad to read this. I was the Chair of the Grad Psych program when Richard was the Chair of the BA program. We shared a love of mysteries. I read a review of a book by a local author (David Debin) and spoke with Richard to see if he would have David teach in the BA program. I called David and invited him to a meeting with Richard and myself. When we met David said - What do you want? I told him what I really wanted was for him to mentor Richard and I in writing a book. For a couple of years the three of us met and we all shared our writing with each other. It was so helpful in many ways to each of us.
Richard was an honest straight-forward man with a very good heart and my heart is heavy hearing of his loss.


It is difficult to express how much I gained professionally and personally by knowing, observing, and working with Richard. From the time I joined the Santa Barbara campus in 1992, Richard demonstrated his deep dedication and ever-resilient determination to serve students, faculty, and staff. In addition to his creative and characteristic concern for the better-being of those he encountered, his notable participation in our annual Service Day to treat special needs students and their teachers to a day at the Santa Barbara Zoo was only one of the many memorable acts of service in which Richard routinely and selflessly engaged.

After we retired, those I refer to as ‘The Antioch Five’ (Richard, Dick Morrow, Lillian Seldeen, Karen Sharkey, and me) met annually for lunch until it was no longer possible. Richard meant a lot to so many, and I have several wonderful stories I could tell for hours on end. Suffice it to say that association with Richard was enlightening, enriching, and often fun. Richard literally embodied the Santa Barbara campus for several  years. He will be fondly remembered and honored for years to come.


Richard was an amazingly talented educator and trusted colleague, a true Renaissance man who was deeply loved and appreciated by everyone he worked with. The joy of working at the university was directly related to Richard, with his collegiality, dedication, and commitment to such excellent work - and of course his exquisite sense of humor. May he rest in peace. Warmly, Barbara

OBITUARY

Richard Eugene Whitney

12 November, 1944 – 14 December, 2020

Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks-Griffin Mortuary & Crematory & Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park

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