Avis de décès de J. -Richard Whittaker - Nécrologie - MesAieux.com

WHITTAKER, PROFESSOR (JOHN) RICHARD - Professor and Dr. J. Richard Whittaker passed away on Thursday, May 29, 2008 at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton, New Brunswick after a lengthy illness with cancer. He was 73. Born in Cornwall, Ontario, he was the son of the late William S. Whittaker and Beth Tilton Lindsay. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family, and was predeceased by his wife, Dr. Noel de Terra Whittaker of New York City. He leaves to mourn many close friends, and in particular, his long-time research associate Bob Crowther of Auburn, Massachusetts, and friend, Dr. Theodore Grand of Washington, DC. "Dick", as he was known to friends and colleagues, graduated from Queens University in Kingston, Ontario with a B.A. (honours), in biology and chemistry; and with an MSc. in Invertebrate Physiology. In 1962, he received a PhD in Developmental Biology from Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut. He spent his career as a research biologist, working and teaching at University of California (UCLA), the Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology (Univ. Pennsylvania) and at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole, Massachusetts where he administered the Boston University Marine Program. His association with the MBL, including that of researcher and a stint as interim director, spanned 50 years. He returned to Canada in 1992 to the position of Chair of the Department of Biology at the University of New Brunswick (UNB). Retiring from UNB in 1997, he continued to pursue research interests as a visiting scholar and fellow at a number of marine biological research centres, including the Oceanographic Institute in San Diego and the Friday Harbor Laboratories, University of Washington. He was a board member of the Huntsman Marine Science Centre in St. Andrews, NB. His many research publications, presentations and chapters on embryology in biological textbooks contributed to an international reputation in his field of interest. He was the recipient of a number of prestigious scholarships, honours and awards throughout his career, and he was a member of scientific associations, societies and editorial boards. A cultured and intellectual gentleman, Dick exhibited a passion for books, plants, art, gourmet food and travel. He will be remembered by his many friends and colleagues for his wit, easy-going manner and many unheralded kindnesses and generosities. A service of tribute and committal, led by Fr. John Jennings, will be held at 2:30 pm on Saturday, June 7, 2008, at the Hermitage Cemetery on the Woodstock Road, Fredericton. Friends and colleagues are invited to attend, following which a celebration of Dick's life will be held at 270 University Avenue. A memorial will be held at that later date in Woods Hole, MA. Friends would particularly like to thank the medical and nursing staff of 4SW, the Palliative Care staff and Fr. Jennings for their kind and gentle attention. Donations in Dick's memory may be made to the Palliative Care unit at the DECH in Fredericton or to the Woods Hole Public Library in Woods Hole, MA. McAdams Select Community Funeral Home may be contacted for further details (506-458-9170) www.mcadamsfh.com.