Robert Whitman

Robert "Bob" LuVerne Whitman, age 77, of Perham, MN, died June 6, 2012, at the Elder's Home, in New York Mills, MN. Bob was born on May 13, 1935, to LuVerne and Patricia (Rowley) Whitman, in Sioux City, IA. His parents purchased a resort on Dead Lake in the spring of 1952. That same year, Bob joined the U.S. Air Force, where he was placed in radio communications, international Morse code and air to ground communications. During his service in the Air Force, Bob was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal with three bronze loops. Bob participated in the two theaters of operation, one at the Yokota air Base, Japan and the second at the Kadena Air Base, Japan. He received an efficiency form from Capt. Robert B. Swan stating he was one of the best code operators in the Pacific area. After twelve years of duty, Staff Sergeant Whitman was honorably discharged from the service on Oct. 22, 1964. He returned to Council Bluffs, IA and began driving semi-truck with his brother. Bob was also a truck driver for the Teamsters for nine years. Bob then moved back to Minnesota. He married Charlotte Rageth, in 1969. Bob and Char moved to Minnesota in 1975, where Bob had a piece of property on Dead Lake. They built their home there. After driving truck, again, for a few years, Bob owned and operated a repair shop, on Dead Lake. He worked on outboard motors, made docks and boat lifts, and worked on just about everything, including lots of welding and all types of maintenance. Bob also drove school bus for Bauck Busing, Ltd., for ten years. He truly enjoyed bass fishing, relaxing days on Dead Lake and Ham radio. Most of all, Bob enjoyed time with family and friends. Survivng Bob is his wife, Charlotte, Perham, MN; sons, Randy (Deb) Whitman, AR, Robert Whitman, AR, Wayne Franks, Perham, MN, and Clinton Franks, NE; daughters, Pam (Jim) Cox, AR, Cheri (Dave) Verdoorn, West Fargo, ND, and Colette (Eugene) Jahnke, Ottertail, MN; twenty grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; one brother, Melvin (Audrie) Whitman, IA and a sister, Patricia Niccoli, AR.Preceding Bob in death are his parents.