Richard "Dick" Whitman

Whitman, Richard (Dick) beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Teacher and friend passed away November 29th 2019 at home with his family. Our hearts are broken but we know he is with God. Dick was a quiet, gentle, Christian man who had an abundance of energy and strength both inside and out. He did not mind hard work and he was wonderful at inspiring others to work hard too. He was a born leader and natural teacher. Dick was born in Malone NY April 12th, 1949 to Ken and Rita Whitman. He has an older sister Marilyn and a younger brother Larry. His family moved to Tampa when he was in elementary school. He graduated from Robinson High School. He was the head of the football team and Tennis Team at Robinson. After high school he went to St Pete College and the University of West Florida. His first job after college was Head of the Marine Lab at the Aquatarium on St Petersburg beach, a job he enjoyed greatly. While at the Aquatarium he also taught night classes for St Pete College in Clearwater. He found his love of teaching from this experience. When the Aquatarium closed he went back to school and got his teaching degree to teach High School science. He taught for three years at Gibbs high school and was a football coach for Gibbs while still teaching night classes at St Pete College. In 1984 he moved to Old Town Florida and bought a small farm with his wife Charmaine and his son Jason. Both Dick and his wife taught high school classes at Bronson and Jason started 7th grade. It took 4 years but he built a beautiful house with some help from family and friends. While at Bronson he held many hats, Science teacher, disciplinarian, football coach, track coach and too many others to name. He took his students on field trips that they will never forget. In 1993 Dick wanted to try clam farming and teach part time while his wife taught part time and was home with their infant son Caleb. They were offered part time positions at Dixie high school. In 1997 Dick was offered a full time position at Cedar Key School where he taught for the remainder of his teaching career. In 2002 his wife joined him at Cedar Key. Sons Caleb and Joey also attended Cedar Key. Dick took students on many field trips both through NEFEC and on his own. They also did seafood dinners and other fund raisers for their trips. He did summer teacher workshops at FSU and at Sea Horse Key for UF. He retired in 2011 after 30 years of teaching. He was just an amazing man and his family misses him so much. He is preceded in death by his parents Ken and Rita Whitman, his daughter Amanda Whitman, in laws George and Marguerite Trudel, brother in law Owen Singleton, and nephew Michael Gardner He is survived by his best friend and wife Charmaine, Sons Jason (Melissa), Caleb, and Joey, his grandchildren Colt, Josie and Sam, his sister Marilyn (George) Hall, brother Larry (Jennifer) Sisters in law Carylle (Harold) Barr, Candy Quaidy, brother in law Bill Trudel, and several nieces and nephews. The visitation will start at 9am and the funeral will start at 10am Saturday December 7th at the Rick Gooding Funeral Home Chiefland Chapel, with Rev. Michael Pendergraft officiating. Burial at the Old Town Cemetery to follow immediately after the funeral. In lieu of flowers please do a good deed for someone or give a donation to St Jude’s children’s hospital in his name. Arrangements have been placed under the care of Rick Gooding Funeral Home Chiefland, Florida 352-493-0050 and Cross City, Florida 352-498-5400. Please sign the online guest book at rickgoodingfuneralhomes.com

Richard "Dick" Whitman

April 12, 1949 - November 29, 2019