- Date Of Birth: November 15, 1938
- Date Of Death: November 23, 2022
- State: Idaho
Bob Hart Whitney, our devoted father, husband, grandfather, brother, teacher, coach and friend, passed away surrounded by his family, and returned home to his Heavenly Father on November 23, 2022 after a hard fought battle with Lymphoma.
Bob was born on November 15, 1938 to Viola Cleone Hart and Fayette Mellor Whitney in Afton, Wyoming. Bob and his family later moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho where he grew up playing and loving all sports and art. He graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1957.
He received a baseball scholarship to USC.
In the early 70’s as an art teacher and coach at Bonneville High School in Idaho Falls, Idaho he established the first baseball program and then he started the Art Society, both of which are still in place today. Bob was an unparalleled trailblazer in the field of education. He taught and coached there for over 21 years. He then went on to accomplish similar goals at Downey High School in California as an art teacher and golf coach for another 15 years. Throughout his career he coached championship sports teams and instructed international award winning artists. He received many honors for teacher of the year and outstanding art instructor. He had an art commission for the Denver Broncos and opened a studio/gallery for a time. Bob was an inspiration and mentor to thousands of students, budding artists and athletes and has stayed in touch with hundreds of them throughout his life.
Bob or “Whit”, as most people knew him, was a huge presence and made an impact on all around him. He was an inspiring leader with a vibrant personality. Bob was not the quiet, rule following type and “slow” was not in his vocabulary. He did everything fast, whether it was driving, walking, pulling his golf bag, washing his car, or just living. He was generous, gregarious and counted everyone as a friend. He created many timeless relationships. He lived large and loved big.
Bob’s greatest pride and joy were his three children, Anjee, Tiffany and Jason. There was never a dull moment with Bob Whitney as your father. Life was full of adventure, sports, learning experiences that to some might have seemed like near death experiences and always the knowledge that dad loved us unconditionally and was our biggest fan.
Bob was also a dedicated grandpa.
Bob fell in love with, and married, Kristine Everett Meyers in February, 1997 after they reconnected at a high school reunion. They lived in Huntington Beach for 25 years until Bob’s passing.
Bob is survived by his wife, Kristine; his three children, Anjee, Tiffany and Jason; ten grandchildren, Haley, Chandley, Preston, Jordan, McKenna, Logan, Austin, Paityn, Kallyn and Cole; three great grandchildren, Koda, Violet and Onyx; brother Kent; sister Fayette
To honor Bob’s life and memory the family asks that you either give blood or donate to the American Red Cross.
