Leland "Herb" Whitsitt

“Hey Beautiful,” “Hey Bub.” That’s the way Leland Herbert Whitsitt (Herb), 72, of Banning, CA, greeted his friends and family. A soft-spoken man who was not quick with a question or a story, he gave you his undivided attention. To share a cup of coffee and a conversation with Herb would leave you feeling better about life than when you had arrived. You knew you had spent the afternoon with one of the best men on Earth. Genuine to the core and a gentleman until the end, he made you feel that he was your biggest fan and you believed it. The world lost a kind man who had waved away the Angel of Death time and time again before following him home on April 7, 2017.

Herb was born on December 13, 1944 to Leland Herbert Whitsitt, Sr. (Babe) and Eugenia Francis Hickey (Jeanne) in Galesburg, Ill. He was raised in the town of Knoxville, Ill with his brothers, John (deceased) and Tom Whitsitt. He enjoyed sharing stories recounting his childhood adventures and antics while growing up in his small, Midwestern hometown that he loved so much.

After graduating from Knoxville High School in 1963, he attended Canton College where he studied Art. In 1965, he joined the U.S. Navy where he served as “Radarman, Petty Officer Second Class” on board the U.S.S. Aucilla, U.S.S. Wexford County and the U.S.S. Princeton. He served two tours in Vietnam and received multiple accolades including: The National Defense Service Metal, Representative of Vietnam Campaign Metal and Vietnam Service Metal. He was also the recipient of two Bronze Stars. In 1968, he was the Ground Supervisor and Layout Designer for the Apollo 10 Recovery aboard the U.S.S. Princeton. He was honorably discharged in 1971.

It was during his time in the Navy that he met the love of his life, Kathleen Costello (Casey) on a blind date that would result in a 49-year marriage and a love story of which movies are made. He and Casey and their first child, Theresa, returned to his hometown of Knoxville, Illinois following his naval discharge where he worked at the Admiral factory and started his own small electrical business with a friend. He attended Carl Sandberg College and received his AA degree in 1973.

In 1977, they returned to California where he began a 20-year career with Santa Fe Railroad. Starting in the back shops as an electrician, he eventually became a locomotive engineer. Herb demonstrated honor, heroism and self-sacrifice in December 1994 during a historic train derailment that again left him waving away the Angel of Death to save the lives of the crew of the passing train.

This life-changing incident granted him an early retirement which spanned over 20 years where he enjoyed the growth of his family and the fruits of his labor. He was able to return to the sea, this time as a graduate of the Maritime Sea Captain Institute aboard his sail boat, the Cajon 1. On the shores, he enjoyed rounds on the golf course with his friends and family.

When the day finally came for Herb to be called home, he was surrounded by his family and this time he and the Angel embraced as old friends. The legacy of such a man is one all could hope to leave behind. A legacy of kindness, honor, generosity, strength, survival and love. He is survived by his adoring wife, Casey, his daughter Theresa Acevedo and her husband Ryan (Highland, Ca), daughter Maurine Whitsitt (Roanoke, Tx), son Michael Whitsitt and wife Cassie (Iwakuni, Japan), and his son Kyle Whitsitt and wife Brandi (Lakeside, Ca), his 10 grandchildren: Kody, Cole and McKenzie Acevedo, Jake and Kaylea Farris, Megan, Brooke and Paige Whitsitt, Drew and Emma Whitsitt, his brother Tom Whitsitt and wife Cheryl (Knoxville, Ill) and extended family.

The reunion celebration in heaven is likely still going on as he is reunited with the others we have lost in our family. Until we meet again we wish him fair winds and following seas. As time goes on and we find our way with the Angel to the heavenly gates, we can be assured we will be greeted with that familiar, loving, quiet drawl, “Hey Beautiful, Hey Bub,” and we will know to settle in for a hot cup of coffee and good conversation.

Funeral Services are as follows:

Weaver Mortuary

1177 Beaumont Ave, Beaumont, Ca 92223

www.weaver-mortuary.com

Rosary - Wednesday, June 28, 2017 5-7pm

Weaver Mortuary

Mass- Thursday, June 29, 2017 10am

St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church

1234 Palm Ave., Beaumont, CA. 92223

Interment - Immediately following mass

Riverside National Cemetary

Reception to Follow

In lieu of flowers please donate to:

www.garysinisefoundation.org

In memory of Leland Herbert Whitsitt

Arrangements under the direction of Weaver Mortuary, Beaumont, CA.