Frederick Rick Whittaker Jr.

Mr. Whittaker, age 45, of Charlotte, died unexpectedly on June 19, 2012. Rick was born on August 19, 1966 in Raleigh, North Carolina, the son of Patricia Gery Whittaker (Trish) and the late Frederick Markland Whittaker, Sr.

A resident of Charlotte since his teenage years, Rick graduated from Myers Park High School in 1985. He graduated from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill in 1989 with a BA in Industrial Relations. He was a member of the Chi Phi fraternity. Rick was president of Home Realty and Management Company of Charlotte, and was formerly with RBC Bank. Rick was a member of Myers Park Presbyterian Church, Charlotte Country Club, The Charlotte City Club and The Dunes Club.

Rick was a loving and devoted husband, father, son, brother and friend. He cherished spending time with his wife and children in Charlotte and at the beach. He enjoyed playing golf and other sports (especially soccer) with Markland, attending the Father-Daughter Dances with Mary Thomas, and throwing a baseball with Stephen. The whole family loved to fish, swim and play games together. Two of his favorite pastimes were sitting on the front porch with his wife, Mary, and listening to his vast collection of music. Rick also enjoyed playing golf with his friends, as well as grilling out in the backyard with his children, wife, mother and friends. He looked forward to the family’s trips to Boston to visit his sister and her family.

Rick’s faith was very important to him. He was a member of the ACTS Class at Myers Park Presbyterian Church and taught Sunday School to his children and their friends. He was a gentle and caring man who always strived to do his best. He leaves behind a legacy of caring and compassion that will forever be remembered by the many people whose lives he touched.

In addition to his mother, Rick is survived by his wife, Mary Finley Henderson Whittaker; three children, Frederick Markland Whittaker III (Markland), Mary Thomas Whittaker and Stephen Whitner Whittaker; sister, Elizabeth Whittaker Ryan (Beth); brother-in-law, Heberden Wildurr Ryan (Heb); nieces, Georgia and Isla; and nephew, Cooke of Boston, Massachusetts.

A service to celebrate the life of Rick Whittaker will be held on Friday, June 22nd at 2:00 p.m. at Myers Park Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends following the service at Providence Hall.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Whittaker Educational Trust, c/o Michelle Nemanich, Wells Fargo, 1065 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC, 28207.