Robert N. Whittaker
October 31, 1934 ~ February 11, 2021
Born in: Union City, Pennsylvania
Robert N. Whittaker, 86, of Erie, passed away, Thursday, February 11, 2021 unexpectedly at his residence. He was born on October 31, 1934 a son of Carl Whittaker and Theresa Chesney Whittaker. He married Donna J. Brown on October 9, 1954 she preceded him in death on April 4, 2000. He subsequently married Marilyn Filipowski on May 24, 2002. She survives.
He graduated from Union City High School, he then served his country with the US Air Force from 1953-1957. He later received his Bachelors Degree from American University and his Master's Degree from George Washington University.
Robert was employed by the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division, retiring in 1988 as the officer in charge of uniformed White House Security.
He was a lifetime member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, FBI National Academy of Associates, Association of Retired Police of the District of Columbia, United States Secret Service Uniformed Division Retirement Association, Sampson Air Force Base Veteran's Association, American Legion, and Erie Elks Lodge #67.
In addition to his wife, Marilyn Whittaker of Erie; he is survived by a son, Steven Whittaker of Union City, a granddaughter, Robyn Keller of Waterford; a son in law, Bruce Keller of Waterford; and a sister, Cynthia Troyer and her husband Cletus of Waterford.
In addition to his first wife, Donna; he was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Jody Keller; and a sister, Judy.
A graveside service will be held on Monday, February 15, 2021 at 11:00am at Evergreen Cemetery, Concord Road, Union City.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Millcreek Community Church, 4444 Sterrettania Rd, Erie, Pennsylvania 16506.
Please take a moment to share a memory or condolence with the family on Robert's Book of Memories online at www.warrenglennfh.com
Arrangements are in the care of Warren-Glenn Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 62 S. Main Street, Union City.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Bob was a dear brother in Christ. He will be missed by all who knew him.
I am sorry to hear about Bob’s sudden passing. He was so interesting to talk to and will be missed by many. Betty Rooney
To the Whittaker Family, I am so sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. I always enjoyed seeing him greeting at church. His smile and sincerity will be greatly missed. God bless you all and keep you.
Marianne Schroeder
I’m very saddened by the passing of my father-in-law, Bob Whittaker. He was a very important part of my life. I thought of him as my second father. It’s going to be extremely difficult without him here. I’m just so thankful that he was a believer in Christ and I know that he’s now in his presence! I’ll see you again!!
It’s so hard to picture life without you in it. You have been a constant my entire life and loved me more than anything. You touched so many lives with your unending kindness and loving nature. Everyone who knew you was better for it. You were always someone I looked up to and I’m so proud to be your granddaughter. I love you so much grandpa and you’ll forever be in my heart until we meet again.
To the Whittaker Family we offer our prayers and condolences. You may not know me well, but I was raised in Erie. Bob and I always had that bond and I considered my brother in law enforcement a good friend.
My condolences to Marilyn, Bruce, Robyn and all the family. I will very much miss seeing Bob at church on Sundays (when I return after Covid settles down). He was a Door Greeter, and was so faithful. He was always willing to help. His love for the Lord was apparent. I know he will be missed by many.
Mr. Whittaker was my neighbor while I was in high school. He was a wonderful and kind man who always treated me well. I was very sad to hear about this loss. My dad used to keep the spare key to our house at the Whittakers. Due to being an absent minded teenager I would lose my key once a week. Mr. Whittaker always made me feel welcome to knock on the door and get an extra key. He would check in on how I was doing and how my day was. I always felt welcome in his home and safe going to him for any help I needed. He will be missed.
Uncle Bob you willl be greatly missed! Enjoyed the great times with our families! Over the years we shared some common intrests, Uncle Bob was a great gardner and sure liked leeks in the spring! Uncle Bob we will think of you often and the great memories! Thank you for being our friend!
Kirk and Andrea Mientkiewicz
BOBBY WHITAKER LIVED A SHORT DISTANCE FROM ME GROWING UP. HE WAS 2 YEARS, 8 MONTHS OLDER THAN I AND I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE A MEMORY WHICH IS A BIT DIFFERENT. WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, IN THE WINTER ON SOUTH STREET IN UNION CITY WHERE I LIVED, WE KIDS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD LOVED TO GO SLEDDING DOWN THE HILL ON 5th AVENUE AFTER SUPPER. ONE EVENING WHEN WE WERE SLEDDING, A BOY NAMED JIMMY RICHARDSON WHO LIVED ON 5th AVENUE, HIS TWO FRIENDS, BOBBY GREGORY AND BOBBY WHITAKER DECIDED THEY WOULD HAVE FUN STANDING ACROSS THE ROAD BLOCKING US FROM SLEDDING DOWN THE HILL. I DECIDED IT WAS WRONG, SO I WENT HOME AND ASKED MY STEP-FATHER TO TALK TO THE BOYS FOR US. HE WAS A QUIET MAN AND SAID HE WOULD. HE TOLD US KIDS TO STAY AT THE TOP OF THE HILL AND HE WALKED AND SPOKE QUIETLY TO THE BOYS. HE THEN CAME UP AND TOLD US WE COULD CONTINUE SLEDDING. AS I WAS ON MY SLED GOING DOWN HILL, I GLANCED OVER TO JIMMY’S HOUSE AND HE WAS STANDING AT THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE CRYING WITH THE TWO BOBBY’S CONSOLING HIM. THEY LOOKED AT ME BUT SAID NOTHING. I HAD NO FURTHER CONTACT WITH ANY OF THEM THROUGH THE YEARS. AS I READ BOBBY WHITAKER’S OBITUARY, I REMEMBER THIS INCIDENT AND AM PRAISING THE LORD THAT BOBBY TURNED OUT TO BE SUCH A KIND, CARING AND LOVING CHRISTIAN MAN. I WONDER IF MY STEPFATHER’S QUIET WORDS HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON BOBBY AND WOULD LIKE TO THINK SO. AS A BORN AGAIN, 87 YEAR OLD CHRISTIAN LADY OF 73 YEARS, I AM PRAISING THE LORD THAT BOBBY LOVED THE LORD TOO. HIS SISTER, CYNTHIA AND I WERE IN THE SAME CLASS AT SCHOOL. HIS MOM, THERESA, WORKED AT GATES’ DRUG STORE AS A CLERK AND I REMEMBER HOW SWEET AND KIND SHE ALWAYS WAS. SEE YOU IN HEAVEN, BOBBY.