Robert Glen Whitmore

Robert Glen Whitmore, age 84, of La Grande, passed away on May 26, 2003 at the Grande Ronde Hospital.


A graveside memorial service will be held later at the Enterprise Cemetery.

Bob was born May 13, 1919 to Glen and Della Hearing Whitmore in Enterprise, Oregon. He grew up there and graduated from Enterprise High School in 1937. Following high school he was a truck driver until 1943 when he joined the United State Air Force. He served in Italy and North Africa as a member of a B-17 bomber crew with the 15th Air Force. He earned numerous campaign ribbons and was awarded several decorations for distinguished service.

Prior to his discharge in 1945, he married Patricia Bittle, of Clarkston, Washington, in Walla Walla, Washington. They returned to Enterprise where he started his long career as a skilled sawmill electrician. He worked in mills throughout Wallowa and Union counties. He was a member of the Enterprise volunteer fire department for many years. They moved to La Grande in 1967, working at Boise Cascade sawmill until his retirement in 1982.


Bob was a pioneer in radio broadcasting in Wallowa County, building and operating radio station BOB in Enterprise in 1935. His leisure activities included "touring" around Wallowa and Union counties, reminiscing about the "old times" and also helping others wherever he could.


Survivors include his wife, Patricia of La Grande; children, Mike and Cindy Whitmore of La Grande, Jackie and JR Simmons of Oregon City, Tim and Cammie Whitmore of Island City; seven grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and other relatives and friends. His parents and brothers, Virgil, Delbert and Terrence, preceded him in death.


In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley.