Robert Norman Whitaker

Born in Wrangell, Alaska, to Norman Whitaker, and English immigrant, and Dorothy Mae (Fisher) Whitaker, a young adventurist schoolteacher.

Bob and his sister Betty were raised for the first several years in Wrangell and moved to the lower 48 as they grew into their teens to get a better education.

Bob lived in England, Florida, Oregon, and settled in Grand Junction, Colorado, where he graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1961.

His first love was always flying, and he gained his private pilot license while in high school. Upon graduation, he joined the US Army and was stationed in Germany.

Bob went to Data Processing School for a year after leaving the military and returned to being an airplane mechanic.

Over the years, he worked for many airlines, including Canadian Airlines, soaking up all the knowledge he could.

After retiring, Bob returned to Grand Junction until his marriage to Suzette Overman on October 1, 2005. They resided in Austin, Colorado.

Bob loved fishing, hunting, boating, and farming.

He passed away suddenly at his home with his wife by his side.

Bob is survived by his wife, Suzette; two stepsons, John Erikson of Arizona, and Gary (Shelma) Erikson of Colorado; his sister, Betty Souch of California; niece, Charlotte Coxford and her two children of California; and step-grandson, John Erikson, Jr. (Sarah) and his two sons of Tennessee.

Bob was a member of the Paonia American Legion, Grand Junction Moose, Elks, and Eagles.