William Haarstick Whittemore

Bill was a kind, gentle loving man who was at his best surrounded by his daughters and grandchildren, or when he was at sea or flying his planes. He attended Saint Louis Country Day School and Hotchkiss, and graduated from Brown University.

After serving in the US Navy, Bill attended NYU pursuing an MBA at night and worked in advertising at Smith/Greenland. Infused with an entrepreneurial spirit, he began a company with sailing partner Rod Williams, that became Whittemore and Williams, the first yacht management/chartering company in the U.S. and a forerunner in the global industry.

Bill was a member of the New York Yacht Club for almost 58 years and had a passion for competitive sailing, crewing on “Destination”, “Nirvana” and other yachts.

In 1989 Bill retired to Stuart, Florida, where he lived for over 30 years and developed a deeper love for flying. He became a founding member of Angel Flight Southeast, which coordinated missions to fly organ transplant and Veterans needing life-saving medical treatment. Bill was also a founding member of the Stuart International Airshow, serving as Co-Chairman for many years. He also served n the Board of the Council on Aging and was Chairman of the United Way Foundation. For the last three years, Bill and his beloved wife resided in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

The family would like to thank Devonshire, Chatsworth and Trustbridge Hospice for all their kindness and loving care.

Bill is survived by his wife, Martha; his four daughters, Margot Whittemore Palermo, Gayle Whittemore, Katie Whittemore and Lisa Whittemore and ten grandchildren.

A private memorial at sea will take place this summer in Newport, Rhode Island.