Richard Wilbur Whitmore, 70, of Sweet Home, died Oct. 23, 2009 at his home, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born Aug. 24, 1939 in Cody, Wyo., to Wilbur Elgin and Catherine (Shook) Whitmore. His first 19 years were spent in Cody, where he played football, hunted with friends and worked on the family ranch.
He served in the Artillery Unit of the National Guard in Wyoming and Oregon. When he was 19, he moved with his family to a dairy farm near Halsey. He and his brother Kent finished high school at Central Linn in 1961.
He loved all things in nature and loved to hunt and fish.
Mr. Whitmore married Rosemary Dybdahl on Oct. 21, 1966. During the last weeks of his life he said “I have set a goal. I am going to live until Oct. 22 for our anniversary.”
He kept his promise plus a little. It was a wonderful 43rd anniversary gift.
Mr. Whitmore is survived by his wife, Rosemary; son Michael Whitmore of Sweet Home; a daughter; sister Kathleen and brother-in-law Roger Fox; nephews Ethan, Brent and Brian Carlson; niece Erin Strobeck and grand-niece Mariah Strobeck.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the First Baptist Church of Brownsville on Seven Mile Lane.
Donations in Richard’s name may be given to Samaritan Evergreen Hospice in Albany, Oregon.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.