Obviously, the devastating loss of the patriarch of our family is a very defining moment of 2008
Robert Whiting, 84 years young, left this world to be with his Father in Heaven on March 27th, 2008 after a very short courageous battle with cancer. Robert was born on the 4th of November, 1923, in Crystal, Power County, Idaho. He was the 7th child of Forres and Margery Butterfield Whiting. Most of his childhood years were spent in Salmon Idaho where he attended school. At the age of 9 he lost his mother due to complications from child birth and at the age of 14 he lost his father to heart complications and had to become very independent from that age on. He started working on several ranches in the area to help support his siblings.
Robert joined the Army in February of 1943. He was very proud that he was able to serve his country during WWII. He was on Utah beach during D-Day, he helped fight during the Battle of the Bulge and he liberated the Bergin-Belsen concentration camp. During this time was when he met his lifelong friend Al Vensak while building bridges to allow the Armed Forces further access into France and Belgium. Robert was honorably discharged in October of 1945.
Edwin coming home from the war Robert met “the prettiest girl he had ever seen” in Nutrioso Arizona and made Marian Louise Slade his wife on 19 of December 1951. They were married in the Mesa AZ Temple for Time in All Eternity. She followed him to New Mexico, Hawaii, Colorado and Utah until they finally settled in Boise Idaho in 1958 where their oldest daughter, who was born handicapped, could receive the schooling she needed. They celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary in 2007.
Robert lived for his ladies. He had four daughters and four granddaughters all of whom had him wrapped around their little fingers. When two son in laws came around he thought the sun rose and set in those two boys. He instilled in all them a love of the mountains, all of nature and taught them to fish, shoot, and camp with the best of them. Many a wonderful time for our family was spent at Smiley Creek in the Sawtooth Mountains.
On his days away from working for John Ewing, whom he considered a son; he could be found in his large garden, or building something around the house. He was a very avid reader as well his favorites being the scriptures, and good ol’ Louis L’Amour. He stayed incredibly close with all of his 15 siblings and their prospective families and loved each and every one of his brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews very dearly.
was a very devout and faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He filled many positions and held many callings including a Scout Master, Sunday School Teacher and High Priest Group Leader and was an amazing genealogist. Later in life genealogy became his passion, finding thousands of names and doing the temple work of many of them with his family. He loved that he was able to share temple work with his wife, daughters and granddaughters.
He is survived by his sweet wife Louise, his four daughters, Laurie Robinel Whiting, Stefanie Ann Bitton (Micheal), Tanya Louise Whiting, Shiara Louise Whiting, his four granddaughters, Laura Monae Curtis (Matthew), Chante Nicole Forgett, Danielle Naomi Bitton and Makayla Ann Bitton. Of his 15 siblings he is survived by Ruth Andrews and family, Alta Allsworth and family, Roy and LaVerda Whiting and family, Iris Saxton and family, and JuneWhiting, as well as numerous other nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by his companions Bandit, Kimo, Piper, Lucy and Redder Boy.
