Robert J."Chief"Whalen

A resident of New Orleans, he passed away Thursday, May 3, 2007, in Baton Rouge. He was 60, born Oct. 24, 1946, in New Hampton, Iowa, to Charles Homer Whalen and Beverly Mary Phillips Whalen. He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Karen Whalen and their three children, Jennifer, Brandon and Jordan Whalen; sister, Mary Sue Whalen and her son and daughter-in-law, Jason and Suzanne Rasonke; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He served for four years in the U.S. Army. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in English at LSU, where he wrestled on the varsity team and was a member of TKE fraternity. He later attended the Culinary Institute of America in New York. He was a chef at several area restaurants and owned or managed several Baton Rouge bars, including Joe Reed's, Chief's and The Kingfish. He was an avid reader and outdoorsman who enjoyed hiking. He loved life, friends and family, and will be sadly missed by those who knew him. Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., on Thursday, May 10, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a memorial service at 7 p.m.