Harry WHITTAKER

Harry Woods, born July 23, 1920, passed away peacefully August 13, 2014 with family by his side.

The son of Hugh and Dorothy Whittaker, Harry grew up one of 7 Whittaker children in what is now called Columbia -Tusculum. His family heritage in Cincinnati goes back generations to Anderson and Longworth families. Harry’s great grandfather, Edward Lowell Anderson, a soldier in the civil war, one of 10 children, was born at his grandmother’s residence, the Baum Longworth Taft house, now the Taft Museum, and his grandchildren are the currently the 6th generation to live in the Hyde Park home, once considered East Walnut Hills, where Edward and his wife, Mary Fore, once resided.

Harry was in the first class of the Cincinnati Country Day School, and later attended The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, CT, Princeton University, The University of Florida, and The University of Cincinnati, graduating as a chemical engineer. During WWII he served in the army unit of aerial cartography in the Philippines making the first topographical maps of Japan. His stories of service have been preserved in the Library of Congress through their Oral History Project.

In his years of civic engagement, Harry was most proud of helping to introduce Montessori Education to Cincinnati first as a board member of the Country Day School in the early 60’s, then as a founding member of the board of The New School Montessori in the early 70’s. He also served on boards of the Heimlich Institute, The Mercantile Library, past president in 1974-5, and The Wm.P. Anderson Foundation, among others. He was a loyal and life-long member of the Camargo Club, The Adirondack League Club in Old Forge, NY, and the wonderful clubs of Biddeford Pool, Maine, a member of The Ohio Society and The Caledonian Society. In his later years, and with Molly, he was a resident of The Deupree House.

A great sailor, Harry was in his element on a sailboat whether racing Thistles at Cowan Lake (in his younger years), cruising the coast of Maine or crossing the oceans of the world. He enjoyed his career as stockbroker, loved skiing and squash, was an expert fly fisherman, cook, story-teller, and great reader, and was a Master Gardener. With his wife, Molly, they sailed and traveled the world. No matter where he was, there was nothing he enjoyed more than the company of his family and friends.

Harry was preceded in death by his 6 siblings, Janet, Tom, Kay, Dot, David and Mary, his granddaughter, Caroline, and his beloved, beautiful wife of 60 years, Mary (Molly) Wilby Whittaker. He is survived by his daughter, Polly and his devoted grandchildren, Larz and Petra Palmer, by his devoted former son-in-law, Larry Palmer, and many adoring nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Contributions can be made to The Hillside Trust, 710 Tusculum Ave., Alms Park, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, or the charity of your choice .

A Celebration of his life will be held at The Camargo Club, September 12 at 11am.