Robert Edwin Whittle

Robert Edwin Whittle (“Bob”) was born in Georgiana, Alabama to Grady and Voncile Burkett Whittle on January 7, 1936. His father died when he was two, and the family was split up.

Bob’s siblings, Cecelia and Douglas, stayed with their mother, while Bob went to live with his grandparents on their farm in Industry, AL.

Those years on the farm shaped Bob’s approach to life. He developed a love of nature, an intimate understanding of the land, and a can-do attitude. Bob later rejoined his family and attended Greenville High, playing basketball and running track.
In 1954, Bob joined the Navy and served as a Gunnery Yeoman on the USS Basilone destroyer. He was stationed in Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and Guantanamo, Cuba., Hesaw Greece and Brazil while he was with the Navy.

After his service in the Navy, Bob returned to Alabama and worked briefly as a tree trimmer. He was intrigued, however, by what was, in 1957, a new form of technology known as a “computer.” Bob taught himself how to program and moved to Atlanta, where he worked as an Information Systems Manager for the Georgia Department of Audits, retiring in 1993.

In Atlanta, Bob met the love of his life, June Moye, who also worked for the State of Georgia. Their first date was an Auburn vs. Georgia Tech game. They tied the knot on November 24, 1961, and were planning to celebrate their 60th anniversary this fall. The couple settled in Powder Springs and had two children, Lisa and Jeffrey. Bob always said his favorite thing about having children was playing outdoors with them and taking them for long walks. He enjoyed being a Boy Scout leader and sharing his love of cross-country running with his children. The family often explored Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield together.

Bob was an avid photographer and sold many of his prints of the Atlanta Botanical Gardens in their gift shop. He and June enjoyed more than 30 years of Ballroom dancing and shared a love for their Boxers, Sally, Duchess, and Diablo.

Over the years, Bob fulfilled his lifelong dream of having a house at the beach in Venice, Florida, and river property in the mountains in Dahlonega, Georgia. He was happiest outdoors, communing with the trees, the water, and the wildlife.

Bob was known for his openmindedness; his ability to give anyone his full attention; his love of a good joke; and his sense of ease with himself. He was also known for his favorite toast, “To the Beach!”

Bob is survived by his wife, June Moye Whittle, his daughter Lisa Whittle (Gabriel Ramirez), his son Jeffrey Whittle (Tucker Austin), his granddaughters Eva Whittle Ramirez and Carmen Whittle Ramirez, and step-grandsons Auggie Austin-Totty and Owen Austin-Totty.

Bob died on July 25, 2021. He would want Georgians to know that his cause of death was of Covid pneumonia. Donations may be made in his memory to Fair Fight Georgia https:// fairfight.com/