David M. Whitby's Obituary
David M Whitby, 79, passed away in Palm Coast FL on June 23, 2023. He was born in Erie PA on April 15, 1944 to John and Margaret Whitby.
He attended St Mary Elementary, followed by Cathedral Prep High School where he played football and basketball. After graduating from the University of Detroit in 1967 with a degree in Finance, he joined the United States Air Force, training as a navigator in the RF-4 Phantom. In December 1968, he was deployed to SouthEast Asia and stationed at Udorn Air Base, Thailand. During the next year, he flew 200 missions over N Vietnam, returning to the US in December, 1969. He married his college sweetheart, Cathy, on
December 27, 1969. His next posting was 4 years at RAF Alconbury, England where his squadron flew missions as part of NATO operations. While stationed in England, he graduated from the University of Utah satellite campus with his MBA. He left the Air Force as a captain in December, 1973.
Upon returning to the US, his business career included Director of Finance/ Controller for Rockwell International and Dun and Bradstreet. He retired in 1992 at the age of 48.
After his love of family, his passion for fishing began as a child in the streams near the family cottage outside of Erie. In his adult years, he went fly fishing in Canada, Alaska and the Bahamas. Since moving to Palm Coast, he has enjoyed fishing in the local lagoons. David also enjoyed a good game of golf. He started with his grandfather as a teen. As a member of Grand Haven Golf Club, he shared many hours on the course and on the ‘patio’ with his steadfast fellow players and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Margaret, and his grandfather, Charles Schloss.
David is survived by his wife of 53 years, Cathy. . . daughter Suzanna Geier, son, Adam Whitby, son-in-law Brian Geier, daughter-in-law Suzann Whitby, grandchildren, Tylen Haller, Gavin and Olivia Whitby. . . brother John Whitby, sisters Marybeth Veshecco and Sheila Anderson, nephews Brian Veshecco and Shane MacDonald, nieces Julie Oliver, Hailey Wilhelm, and Meagan Yost.
In lieu of flowers, please donate in David’s name to:
Stuart F Meyer Hospice House
150 Memorial Medical Parkway
Palm Coast FL 32164
Heritage Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.
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