Robert E. Whitaker

Robert Earl Whitaker, 80, died June 3 due to complications of Parkinson's disease. He was born September 18, 1932 in Akron, Iowa to Basil and Sybil (McCorkell) Whitaker. One of eight children, he was raised by his Aunt Alta and Uncle Oscar Mentzer following his mother's death in 1938. He grew up on a farm in Struble, Iowa with his brother Cliff, sister Madeline and cousin Jim. Following Sybil's death, Basil remarried and had nine more children. Bob graduated from LeMars High School in 1950. He earned an academic scholarship to Westmar College, where he studied Industrial Arts. During this time he met and fell in love with Ellen Hoppe. Following his service in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, Bob and Ellen married, August 6, 1954. The newlyweds moved to Boulder, CO where Bob studied at the University of Colorado, earning a BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1959. An avid CU Buffs fan and supporter, he attended almost every home football game from the time he moved to Boulder until his passing. Bob worked at Dow Chemical (Rocky Flats) in Arvada, Cobe Labs in Lakewood and Storage Technology in Louisville. In 1980, Bob and Ellen started Whitaker Properties, building and managing industrial buildings in Gunbarrel. He was a former board member at DDX, Inc. Bob was an active volunteer throughout the community, serving First Presbyterian Church in Boulder, the CU Buff club, a board member with the Cherryvale Fire Protection District and a volunteer with the Longmont Police Department.Bob is survived by his wife of 59 years, Ellen; sons Randall (Janice) & Brian (Laura); daughter Linda (Doug) Ross; grandchildren Devin, Davis, Allison, Rachel, Ayla, Audrey and Ben; siblings Madeline, Virginia, Virgil, Cliff, cousin Jim Mentzer; half siblings: Mary, John, Danny, Lavern, Delane, Betty, and Victoria. Preceding him in death were Lorraine, Phil, James, Roger and Gloria.Bob was a gentle soul, a quiet voice with a sense of humor, and a kind hearted Christian man. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm, Tuesday June 18, 2013 at First Presbyterian Church in Boulder. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made on-line to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Cremation at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel and Crematory. Visit www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to share condolences.