Eric "Chief" Whittemore

Our Family Patriarch died courageously on the morning of December 3, 2025 after a long period of tolerating (as he would often call it) his battle with Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS). He died at his home in Moreno Valley, California.

Husband, Father, Grandfather, Friend, and Disciple. Chief was born on July 29, 1947 in Endicott, New York. He was the eldest son of Kenneth and Margaret Whittemore. He spent his formative years in New York participating in various youth activities with the LDS church and community, namely, the Boy Scouts of America. Dad spoke often and fondly of his Uncle Jack who supported and encouraged him to achieve one of Dad's first major milestones of his life, earning his Eagle scout award in 1963. Earning his Eagle set his life on the course of service to God, Family, country, and community for the remainder of his life. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the central states mission field. Joining the United States Navy to serve our country.

Meeting his wife, Betty Jean Stewart at a church meetinghouse in Maryland on a random Sunday morning. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 10, 1971. Dad would say, "marrying your Mother was my greatest "unearned" achievement." Returning to Washington D.C. to raise his family and continue his service to our country, community, and most importantly, our Heavenly Father.

The Chief changed Naval duty stations in 1984 and the family relocated from the Washington D.C. area to Southern California. He retired from military service in 1991 and began his own business, Whittemore Nuclear Services, Inc., where he continued to practice his skill of nuclear medicine and to provide service to his community of the Inland Empire.

He retired from his nuclear medicine career in 2007 after a near fatal car accident. Our Lord was not ready for him in Heaven and he continued to serve in leadership positions in the church, Boy Scouts, and The Masonic organization, all while continuing to lead his family and most especially, a new generation of Whittemore children, his grandchildren, who he loved dearly.

Dad has went home to the Lord to continue his service in the Celestial Kingdom. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Betty Jean Whittemore (Stewart) and his children, Nathan, Amy, and Ethan. Also, his numerous grandchildren to which he has given a special message to be delivered upon his death, "work hard to serve people and teach them about God as I have".