Deacon Robert William Whitaker

Deacon Robert William Whitaker was born in St. Petersburg, Florida, on 28 June 1939, to Jesse William Whitaker and Eunice Josephine Whitaker nee Butler. He passed away on 30 September 2023 at the age of 84 years. He spent his formative childhood years in St. Petersburg raised alongside his best friend, Marty. He attended Duke University and graduated in 1961 earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics. During his time at Duke, he was actively involved in the Civil Rights Movement. Most notably, he was at the March on Washington in 1963 and witnessed Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, give his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.

After graduating in 1961, Robert relocated to Washington, DC, where he worked in the field of Computer Engineering as a Systems Analyst for 35 years before his retirement. In 1964, Robert met and married Jane Catherine Jones at Saint Stephen and the Incarnation Episcopal Church. Deacon Whitaker and his wife settled in Washington, DC, where they were active in the community and church, (St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 2424 K Street), and raised four children, Susan, Matthew, Katie, and Peter.

During his active adulthood, Deacon Whitaker loved to bicycle and could often be seen touring Washington with his children. He loved to walk and when not working, Robert spent his days taking long walks around the city. He was fond of cats and the family always had an orange cat. He enjoyed camping and hiking with his wife and children and they enjoyed family excursions to the outdoors of West Virginia in the warm summer months.

Robert received the sacrament of Holy Orders and was ordained a Permanent Deacon in the Roman Catholic (RC) church in 1993. He served in that capacity at St. Ann’s RC church (Tenley Circle) for 21 years before his retirement at the age of 75. His ministry was to families and children. He officiated at many weddings and baptisms, serving the people with dedication to share the love of Christ with everyone in his orbit. For many years, Robert led a Catholic Bible Study on Monday evenings.

He is predeceased by his parents, Jesse and Eunice, his sisters, Connie and Georgie, and his daughter, Katie. He is survived by his wife, Jane; his children, Susan, Peter, Matthew, and his wife, Kate; and his grandchildren, Hannah, Elijah, Luke, Ellie, and David.

A visitation will be held on October 6th from 6:00 PM to 8 PM at Joseph Gawler's Sons. A funeral mass will be October 7th at 12 PM at Saint Ann Catholic Church followed by burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Lisner-Louise-Dickson-Hurt Home, 5425 Western Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20015 or All Saints Sisters of the Poor, All Saints Priory, P.O. Box 3127, 1501 Hilton Avenue Extended, Catonsville, MD 21228. Deacon Whitaker spent the final 48 hours of his life at the Lisner Home where he and his family were treated with extraordinary love, compassion, and care.