Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-01-31
WH|TTET
DIES AT HOSPITAL
Administrative Board Chairman
Passes Away Quietly After
Long Illness.
HOLD FUNERAL TOMORROW
Well Known Citizen for Many
Years Was Prominent
in City's Life.
HOLD FUNERAL TOMORROW

Robert Whittct. Jr.. chairman of tho
Administrative Board, died a. Grace
O'Clock Reports as to Mr.. Whittets
condition following an operation last
week we're encoura SinE to his friends.
but no hope for his recovery had been
entertained by the physicians. The
operation was performed TO alleviate
pain. and TO this purpose II was sue
ccssful. Mr. Whittet slept through
20 the end
Some months ago Mr. Whittet went
20 the home of his sister, Mrs. Harry
Ryric. Of Toronto, Can. in the hope of
rccupcratinE. His health improved,
and he returned TO Richmond, and at
tempted again to take UP his duties.
He attended several meetings Of the
Administrative Board. but soon be-
came TOO weakened to continue attend
ancc. and his place was filed by Vice
Chairman John Hirschbcrg. who has
conducted the work of the Office for
several months.
MIR. Whittet was elected TO his last
h!rh Office when the Administrative
Board was created. in 1912. and as he
drew the long term he would have
continued in office until January !. la17.
The vacancy caused by his death will
he filed b" temporary appointment
through the City Council, which will
probably take action in 4 special meet
ing.
CANT: TO RICHMOND
WHEN TEN YEARS OLD
Ny "hiftot
1855, ut Perth. Scotland. the son Of
Robert and Jane tAItchcson) wh!ttc,.
lie was about ten years old when his
parents cmigrated to the United
states and settled first near W:l-
iiamsburg. Later they came TO Rich
mond. and the elder Whittet cstab-
lished one OF the pioneer printing plants
ot the city at Tenth and Main Streets.
tho site on which the American Ma
tionnl Bank now stands. The firm was
engaged more largely In publishing
pamphlets for the Presbyterian Church.
Placed in the public schools at, an
carly age. .Ir. Whittet continued pur.
ing his studies through Hampdcn- sid
neH College. which lie left to take up
the operating end OF his fathers bust
ness. In November. 1892 he married
Miss Marjorie MacLean, sister of DR.. H.
Stuart MacLcan.
After the death Of his father. Mr..
Whittet took charge Of the firm OF
Whittet * Shcppcrson. and later
founded the Richmond Type and Elec-
trotype Foundry, ana later engaged in
many other interests. which made him
widely known in the affairs OF the city
Entering into politics when COM
parative!y young man, he served in the
board OF Aldermen for eighteen wears
from Clay Ward, and AT the time of
his election to the Administrative
Roard. had served four years as prcsi-
dent OF the upper branch OF the Citv
Council He served with distinction as
a presiding officer. and on several occa-
sions acted as Mayor of the city.
JOHN HIRSCHBERG PAYS
HIGH TRIBUTE TO HIM
His announced platform. published az
the beginning Of his campaign for the
Administrative BOARD. outlining his
views on public improvements. was
made the basis OF an extended article
in the Norfolk Ledger Dispa tch. in
which the attention of Norfolk's Board
of Control was called to many OF The
suggestions made by him. 1t was also
man would be a great acquisition to
Norfoik's governing board. Desperate
~ fought BY certain political combina-
i!ons, and without the support Of the
Citizens Association. his campaign was
one OF the most Spectacular of the race.
In commenting last night on the
death Of his confrcre, Vice Chairman
Hirschherg, OF the Administrative
Board, paid high tribute 10 Mr.. Whittet
saying that il was always his effort
10 serve The people sincerely and well,
and that his charity was ur1oundcd. Mr.
Whittet was affiliated with several or
CARNATIONS. but he was never tied nor
bound by them. and il was always said
of him that he achieved his ambition
10 give service 10 the people.
Robert LcHy. Ir, who was Mr..
Whittets campaign manager when the
latter ran for the Administrative Board.
and a lifelong friend. said of him last
night:
The death of Rob Whittet comes to
me as personal loss because OF a
friendship of nearly thirty years. He
possessed trait which gathered
around him scores of friends from
amongst his associates in the printing
shop, in business and social relations.
His loyalty TO friends. uniform courtesy
and manner of speech were factors that
marked his career in the Board of AL
dermen and went with him as a mem
ber Of the Administrative Eoard
BOARD
WILL HONOR HIS MEMORY
During his entire public lifo his
vote was along conservative lines. al-
though at times the subject OF criti
cism at tho moment, yet generally
confirmed later on in the fullncss OF
time.
AS an employer. he was held in high
esteem by those with whom he was
closely associated. and in his political
cndeavors always had the most active
support. In his private life he was tho
genial gentleman, and those privileged
to know his home were aware Of the
presence OF n kind and indulgent hus-
baud and father.
The son OF n nohlc sire. he passes
on to his only son the name of an
'honored record. Robert Whittet"
Suitable action will he taken by the