Obituary for Dick Whittington
DICK WHITTINGTON
Dick Whittington, 95, passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 18, 2023 at his home in Seawillow, Texas.
He was born in Devers, Texas on February 14, 1928 to Lannis F. Whittington and Nettie Maude (Nottingham) Whittington. He was a 1945 graduate of Devers High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1946 and conducted survey work in Panama for the Corps of Engineers.
After his discharge in 1949, Dick attended the University of Texas at Austin and earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering followed by a master’s degree in environmental health engineering. While an undergraduate, he met the love of his life, Mary Bess Love. The two were married in 1952 and stayed together for 69 wonderful years until Mary’s passing in 2021. They were blessed with two children.
Dick had a long career in public and government service. He began as a Registered Professional Engineer for a private engineering firm in Houston followed by positions with the Texas State Department of Health; Director of Public Works for the City of Liberty, Texas; Deputy Director of the Texas Water Quality Board; and Deputy Director of the Texas Department of Water Resources. He retired in 1985 as Regional Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Region VI. Among the honorary positions he held were Chairmen of the Wastewater Committee, Conference of State Sanitary Engineers; Director of Texas Water Utilities Association; and President and Vice President of the Association of State and Interstate Water Pollution Control Administrators.
Following his retirement, Dick built a home in rural Caldwell County and enjoyed over thirty-five years as a livestock raiser and country dweller. As a retiree he was appointed to serve as Chairman of the Texas Air Control Board before its merger with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. His final public service position was as Chairman of the Caldwell County Appraisal Review Board.
Dick is survived by his son Mark and wife Tinh Whittington; daughter Carol Whittington; granddaughters Thao Mai and Oahn Nguyen and great grandson Khai Sikors, all of Austin. Dick was predeceased by his parents, sister Maurine Ray and brother Earl Whittington. In addition, he leaves behind a niece, nephews and numerous other loving family members and friends.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to caregivers Janie Ortiz and Diana Anzaldua who cared for Dick in his final years.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, from 2-4 p.m. at O’Bannon Funeral Home, 210 S. Laurel, in Luling. A graveside ceremony will be conducted at the Whittington Cemetery in Devers, Texas at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 26, 2023.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dick’s memory to the charity of your choice. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.obannonfuneralhome.com.
Dick liked to believe that during his life he did more good than harm and that those who remember him will share that belief.
Services under the direction of O’Bannon Funeral Home, 210 S. Laurel, Luling, TX 78648. (830) 875-5713
Dick Whittington, 95, passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 18, 2023 at his home in Seawillow, Texas.
He was born in Devers, Texas on February 14, 1928 to Lannis F. Whittington and Nettie Maude (Nottingham) Whittington. He was a 1945 graduate of Devers High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1946 and conducted survey work in Panama for the Corps of Engineers.
After his discharge in 1949, Dick attended the University of Texas at Austin and earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering followed by a master’s degree in environmental health engineering. While an undergraduate, he met the love of his life, Mary Bess Love. The two were married in 1952 and stayed together for 69 wonderful years until Mary’s passing in 2021. They were blessed with two children.
Dick had a long career in public and government service. He began as a Registered Professional Engineer for a private engineering firm in Houston followed by positions with the Texas State Department of Health; Director of Public Works for the City of Liberty, Texas; Deputy Director of the Texas Water Quality Board; and Deputy Director of the Texas Department of Water Resources. He retired in 1985 as Regional Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Region VI. Among the honorary positions he held were Chairmen of the Wastewater Committee, Conference of State Sanitary Engineers; Director of Texas Water Utilities Association; and President and Vice President of the Association of State and Interstate Water Pollution Control Administrators.
Following his retirement, Dick built a home in rural Caldwell County and enjoyed over thirty-five years as a livestock raiser and country dweller. As a retiree he was appointed to serve as Chairman of the Texas Air Control Board before its merger with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. His final public service position was as Chairman of the Caldwell County Appraisal Review Board.
Dick is survived by his son Mark and wife Tinh Whittington; daughter Carol Whittington; granddaughters Thao Mai and Oahn Nguyen and great grandson Khai Sikors, all of Austin. Dick was predeceased by his parents, sister Maurine Ray and brother Earl Whittington. In addition, he leaves behind a niece, nephews and numerous other loving family members and friends.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to caregivers Janie Ortiz and Diana Anzaldua who cared for Dick in his final years.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, from 2-4 p.m. at O’Bannon Funeral Home, 210 S. Laurel, in Luling. A graveside ceremony will be conducted at the Whittington Cemetery in Devers, Texas at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 26, 2023.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dick’s memory to the charity of your choice. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.obannonfuneralhome.com.
Dick liked to believe that during his life he did more good than harm and that those who remember him will share that belief.
Services under the direction of O’Bannon Funeral Home, 210 S. Laurel, Luling, TX 78648. (830) 875-5713