Dr. Robert Charles Whitesitt, 91
Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, friend; Dr. Bob Whitesitt went to be with his Lord on April 19, 2018, at the age of 91. He was born on September 21, 1926, in Stevensville, MT. Dr. Whitesitt was the son of John Earl and Emily Whitesitt.
Bob graduated as valedictorian from Stevensville High School in Stevensville, MT. At the age of 17, he enlisted and served as a pilot in the United States Navy. Following military service, Bob attended Montana State University where he majored in mathematics, chemistry and physics. He went on to earn his Doctorate of Medicine at Northwestern University. Following his years of residency training in Salt Lake City, Dr. Whitesitt began his family practice in Helena, MT. He served the community for over forty years and delivered over 6,000 babies.
On June 22, 1952, Bob Whitesitt married his college sweetheart, Evelyn Truswell. Together they raised their six children.
Dr. Whitesitt was an ambitious man of many talents. He was a mountain climber reaching the summits of the highest peaks in each of the western states. In his early fifties, Bob became a distance runner who ran his last marathon after turning seventy. He also was an avid reader and enjoyed music, hunting, fishing and sports. Green Bay Packers, MSU Bobcats, and Chicago Cubs were his favorite teams. Time with family was a priority including trips to the family farm and camping. Other hobbies he enjoyed were piloting small aircraft, woodworking, daily crossword puzzles and playing practical jokes.
Dr. Whitesitt was a devoted and active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. As a long time member of the Lions Club, he served as District Governor for several years.
Through this humble father’s example, his children learned many aspects of the love of God. He brought so much life into the world and always put everyone before himself. He was a true servant in the communities wherever he lived. Bob’s whit, humor, generosity and deep love and devotion for people will be sorely missed.
Dr. Whitesitt is survived by his beloved wife Evelyn; six children: Margaret (Wade) Grandpre, Janet (Rolando) Solares, Rebecca Gregg, Andy (Michele) Whitesitt, Maureen (Roy) Bensch and Amy (Shannon) Sullivan; three siblings: Eldon Whitesitt, Joyce Hanks and David Whitesitt; eighteen grandchildren and twenty-two great-grandchildren. Bob was preceded in death by his parents Earl and Emily Whitesitt; brothers Lee and Lloyd; two grandchildren Peter Grandpre and Amanda Whitesitt; and his son-in-law Tom Gregg.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Good Samaritan Society Silver Wood Village of Silverton, ID, on Sunday, April 29, 2018, at 1:30 p.m. with Pastor Art Fleming officiating. A second service will be held at St John’s Lutheran Church in Helena, MT, on Tuesday, May 1, 2018, at 3:00 p.m. with Pastor Brad Ulgenes officiating.
Memorial gifts can be given to Story International which serves orphans and the disadvantaged in Huehuetenango, Guatemala. Memorials can be sent to 5885 Meadow Rd. Suite 200 Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035 or given on line at www.storyintl.org/give/donate.
Feel free to sign Dr. Whitesitt’s on-line guest book at Shoshone Funeral Services, Kellogg, Idaho.