ROBERT "BOB" JAMES WHITNEY SR.

Robert (Bob) James Whitney Sr, 88, of Devils Lake, North Dakota, passed away in his home surrounded by loved ones with Altru Home Hospice Care attending on Friday, February 20, 2015. Bob, son of Bessie Brooks and George Whitney, was born on July 30, 1926 in Winona Minnesota. He enlisted in the US Navy at the age of 16 and was active in the Pacific theater. He served on three ships while in the service: the USS Hamlin; the South Pacific USS Norman Scott, a Fletcher Class Destroyer; and the USS Hickox. While on USS Norman Scott the ship was part of the fleet guarding the USS Missouri during the signing of the surrender of Japan. Bob was united in marriage to Irene Fay Chambers on October 24, 1947 in Rochester, MN. They established their home in Crookston, MN where he worked with Maves Optical and with Curtiss candy Company until 1954. They moved to Fargo, ND where they owned Royal Tire Company and together raised a family. In 1965, the family moved to Devils Lake, ND where Bob was President of Ramsey Motors, Inc. He received numerous awards from the Chrysler Corporation for being a top new car salesman and was known as an honest used car salesman. In Devils Lake Bob was an active business man winning many awards from Toastmasters, the Jaycees, and the Chamber of Commerce. In his active career he was president of the the Devils Lake Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Devils Lake Active Community Thought Program, president of the Devils Lake Town and Country Club, president of the Devils Lake Community Development Corporation, appointed by the Governor as chairman of the Devils Lake Basin Advisory Committee, chairman of the North Dakota Planning Council, director of Prairie Public Broadcasting, chairman of the North Dakota Small Business Council (GNDA), and president of both the Devils Lake Rotary Club and the Toastmaster’s Club. He was actively involved in local and state politics including the Democratic party and worked closely with Governor William (Bill) Guy and Senator Quentin Burdick. One of his favorite accolades was given to him by Governor Arthur A. Link when he was awarded the station of Commodore of the North Dakota (mythical) Navy for his work on Garrison Diversion. He was Director of Economic Development Commission for the state of North Dakota under Governor George Sinner. Bob and Irene retired in 1985 and spent their winters in Arizona playing golf. They spent their summers at a lake home on Devils Lake until the rising waters took their property. Bob loved to play golf, made golf clubs for himself and others, and was active in both the Devils Lake Country Club and the governing body of the Apache Wells golf course in Arizona. Both Bob and Irene were able to claim hitting a hole-in-one. Bob’s family and friends will miss his gentlemanly and caring presence but will have memories and stories to keep forever. Loving family members include his daughter Linda Whitney, Valley City, ND; his son Roger Whitney and his wife Sunee, San Diego, CA; his daughter Susan and her husband Barry Lovgren, Devils Lake, ND; his son Paul Whitney and his wife Amy, Seattle, WA; and his daughter-in-Law Connie Whitney, Devils Lake, ND. His grandchildren are Rick (Marci) Brown, Joshua (Mary) Christy and Jessica Christy; Jonathan Whitney, Ian Whitney and Timothy Whitney; Kala Lovgren and Andrew (Crystal) Lovgren; Dylan Pharaoh-Whitney and Theo Whitney. His great grandchildren are Makensie and Maddison Brown, twins Reagan and Abigail Christy; Sierra Tandeski; Savannah, Zoey, and Robbie McKay; and Sophie and Walker Lovgren. Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 66 years, Irene; his son, Robert “Rob” Whitney Jr.; great grandson, Ethan Christy; his sisters, Vivian Arnold and Barbara Reitmeier; brothers Duane Preisen and Byron Whitney. The funeral service for Robert “Bob” Whitney will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, May 2, 2015, in Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Devils Lake. Internment with military honors in the Devils Lake Cemetery.