Family:Whitney, Robert Lester (1919-1996)

Robert Lester Whitney, Sr. (Oakley, Lilla E., Artemas Henry, George Washington, John Smith, Thomas, Thomas, Eleazer, Thomas, John), was born 11 Feb 1919, Athol MA, and died 25 Sep 1996, Costa Mesa CA.

He married 12 Feb 1944, San Diego CA, Erma Lorraine Chittick, daughter of Thomas Henry and Blanche Marilla (Russell) Chittick. She was born 4 Apr 1920, Thief River Falls MN, and died 11 Dec 1999, Chico CA.

Robert Whitney was a United States Marine for thirty years, beginning on 29 Oct 1940 and retiring in 1969 as a Lt. Col. in the 3rd Marine Air Wing. He received two Bronze Stars with Combat V, one for Korea and the second for Viet Nam. His death was due to complications of diabetes.

Lorraine Chittick, as she was called, became the first woman in the accounting department at Wells Fargo in 1943. Later that year she enlisted in the US Marine Corps Womens' Reserve. She was in the first group through both Basic Training and 1st Sergeants' School. She was discharged for the convenience of government when it was discovered that she was pregnant. Robert and Lorraine Whitney were divorced on 27 Apr 1948 in Oakland CA. She later married Arthur Arlis Watts and had his daughter, Grace Watts. She died following a stroke.

Robert married (2nd) 4 Aug 1948 in San Francisco CA. She was born in 1924 the daughter of Herbert and Edith (Bright) Wullbrandt. They had four children. She is still alive in 2010.

Children of Robert Lester and Erma Lorraine (Chittick) Whitney:

i.	Marilla Jane Whitney, b. 16 Nov 1944, Berkeley CA
ii.	Robert Lester Whitney, Jr., b. 1947
iii.	Michael Whitney, b. ca 1949
iv.	Mary Ann Whitney, b. 1960
v.	Laura L Whitney, b. 1961 References Athol Vital Records. 1930 Census. US Marine Corps records. California Death Index. California Birth Index. Divorce papers from Alameda Co., California. Copyright © 2010, Marilla J Whitney and the Whitney Research Group.