Paul Whittenburg - Obituary

LICK HERE FOR PAUL'S MEMORIAL WEBSITEPaul Alan Whittenburg, a longtime resident of Fairfax Road in Annapolis, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, August 20th, 2009. He was 75 years old. Mr. Whittenburg was born in Galena, Missouri, on July 4th, 1934, to the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lee Whittenburg. In 1939, the family relocated to Maryland. Mr. Whittenburg attended Suitland High School and St. John's College in Annapolis, MD. He served as an ordnance specialist in the U.S. Army in Korea, attaining the rank of Sergeant. During his Army service, he was honored for outstanding performance, and was honorably discharged from the Army in 1959. Paul worked as a salesman and kitchen design specialist for Sears and Roebuck until his retirement at age 62. His memberships included St. John's College Alumni Association, The Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, and the National Rifle Association. Mr. Whittenburg enjoyed spending time with family members, especially his mother, Sarah Margaret Bitting, and his granddaughter, Sarah De León. He also had a faithful companion in his terrier, Boomer, who never left his side. He was an expert in the repair and refurbishing of watches and clocks, as well as a particularly avid reader on a variety of subjects, from history, politics, and science to murder mysteries. In addition, he was a highly accomplished carpenter who designed and built various additions to his home and was always willing to help others with similar projects. He also enjoyed spending time with his friends and neighbors, often whiling away the afternoon chatting outside. Mr. Whittenburg was known around the neighborhood as someone who would be happy to help with any project, do any favor, and generously lend or even give away anything needed by a friend. He is survived by his mother, Sarah Margaret Bitting, of Annapolis, Maryland; his children, Hans Paul Whittenburg, of Columbus, Ohio and Page Louise Whittenburg, of Clarksburg, Maryland, (son-in-law, José de León); his sister Mary (Charles) Elizabeth Kilbourne, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland; former spouses, Gladys Page Cottier, of Waterville, Ohio and Carolyn J. Whittenburg, of Silver Spring, Maryland; grand-daughter Sarah Amelia Hong De León of Clarksburg, MD. He is predeceased by his son Andrew Mark Whittenburg, who died in 2007 at the age of 34 A memorial service will be held at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD on Tuesday, September 1 at 11am with a reception immediately following at the Elks Club. Interment Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Crownsville, MD on Thursday, September 3 at 11:30am.