Robert Eugene Whitaker

Robert Eugene Whitaker, 82 years old, died August 24, 2011, in Austell, GA. Born August 26, 1928 Robert, Bob, Dad, Pops, PawPaw, Uncle Bob, Robert E….. No matter what you called him Robert left a positive impression upon everyone he met. Husband of 56 years to Annelle; father of four – that is unless you count every child and young adult who met him and saw in him the father they loved or the father they always wanted to have; grandfather to ten (again not counting the many babies he’s rocked to sleep); graduate of Hapeville High School; a United States Marine; founding member of the Connie Mack Baseball (Hapeville); Ford Motor Company executive for 40+ years – forever loyal to the company he loved; active churchman – served over 30 years of his life in the Episcopal Church on vestries; Rotarian; Exchange Club member; PTA President – Smoke Rise Elementary School in Stone Mountain and Tucker High School in Tucker; board member of Sylvan Lake Falls home owners’ association in Rabun County; neighbor; and friend. Robert lived a life which was all about giving. This world needs more people like him; those who are more driven by the joy they bring to others than the selfish gain they can drain from acquaintances. A colleague from Ford Motor Company said it best when he reflected, “Your Dad was truly a gentleman during my days at Ford...at a time when there weren't enough like him.”

Like the Biblical Abraham, Robert is survived by many who loved him. Surviving family members: His children: Scott (Joy), Brad (Harriett), Robin, Angela Sokolowski (Richard). His ten grandchildren: Courtney R. Nicolou (Mark), Matthew R. Whitaker, Sarah A. Whitaker, Robert E. Whitaker II, Henry C. Whitaker, Anna Marie Sokolowski, Richard L. Sokolowski III, Ryan L. Sokolowski, and Susanne R. Sokolowski. His brother Walter (Joyce) of Dallas, TX.

Predeceased by: Wife (Annelle Nagel Whitaker), Parents (William F. Whitaker & Clara J. Jones), sister (Betty Jane), brothers (Maurice, William and Franklin), and grandson (Alan Paul Whitaker).

Funeral services were held in Atlanta on Saturday, August 27, 2011. Memorial donations may be made to Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church for Building the Body of Christ youth space – ( 805 Mt. Vernon Highway - Atlanta, GA 30327) and/or Mikell Camp and Conference Center (237 Camp Mikell Court – Toccoa, GA 30577).

“Everything’s gonna be alright.” Robert E. Whitaker (long before Bob Marley!).

Arrangements by H.M. Patterson and Son, Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Rd, NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328, (404) 851-9900.