Robin Comstock Whittaker's Obituary
Robin Comstock Whittaker, born in Washington, D.C. on New Year’s Day, 1941, died peacefully at home Tuesday evening, October 31, 2017, after a long battle with Parkinson’s. He is survived by his wife, Laura Cohen, son, Linus, daughter-in-law, Denise, four grandchildren, Zari, Jazz, Quin and Rad, his brothers, Galen, Denis and Noel, sister, Carol, adopted brother, Michael Irwin, his mother-in-law, Laura Joyce King, his long-term caregiver, Lynne Driscoll, and many nieces and nephews.
Robin received a BA in Education from Arizona State and a Master’s in Music from the University of Miami. He was a cellist, performing with the Boston Pops, the Phoenix Symphony and the Miami Philharmonic among others. He also taught at Miami Dade Junior College as well as elementary and high schools in Florida and Vermont. Upon moving to Gainesville in 1978, he began a second career in real estate, mostly with Green Tree Realty.
Though music was no longer his day Job, he continued playing chamber music with family and friends including his wife, Laura, a pianist, and her parents, Jim and Joy King, both clarinetists. The musical family performed several recitals in Gainesville over the years. Their weekly chamber music sessions were especially memorable due to Jim's many, sometimes raucous, stories of his years as director of the United States Marine Band under Presidents Truman through Kennedy.
Robin was the happiest on the tennis court, and although he didn’t begin playing until his twenties, his talent for the game took him to the French Open in 1973, making it through one qualifying round. He taught private tennis lessons in Miami and Gainesville. He passed his passion for the game to his son and grandchildren, one of whom, Jazz, was able to attend college on a 4 year, full tuition, room and board tennis scholarship.
Robin was instrumental in developing his wife Laura’s veterinary practice, High Springs Animal Hospital, founded in 1981. He did much of the construction work and accompanied his wife on many late-night emergency calls in the early days of the practice.
He was a long-time member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship congregation of Gainesville.
Robin was predeceased by his parents, Iantha and Gerald Whittaker, as well as by his first wife, Kathy, mother of Linus, and their infant son, Morgan.
A celebration of Robin’s life will be held Saturday, December 2, 2017 at 2:00 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville, 4225 NW 34th Street, Gainesville. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Unitarian Church, or a charity of your choice, in Robin's name would be greatly appreciated.
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