Ralph Edward “Ed” Whitmore, died Sept. 14, 2024. Born Sept. 22, 2024, in Colin, Iowa, he was son of Ralph Burdette Whitmore and Frances Virginia Cain.
Ed’s family moved to the outskirts of Denver, Colorado in 1941, when his father worked on B29 bombers during World War II. Ed attended a country school his first and second year, attending public school in Arvada beginning in the third grade. In 1947 they moved back to Coin, Iowa.
Ed completed his lower education at Coin Consolidated High School, graduating president of his class in 1956.
The following year he attended Nebraska State Teachers College with the intention of transferring to Iowa State after his first year.
Ed and his future wife Patricia Ann “Pat” Barker met in 1959, while they both attended Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. They married on April 14, 1960.
Graduating from Iowa State University with a degree in Forest Management in the summer of 1961, he accepted a position as a Forester with the United States Forest Service on the Olympic National Forest at Forks, Washington.
Daughter Catherine Lorelle Whitmore born Oct. 18, 1961.
Son Steven Edward Whitmore born Oct. 8, 1964.
In 1966, Ed and family moved to Quinault, Washington, where he was promoted to head of Timber Sales Preparation. After two years, he was promoted again and transferred to the Willamette National Forest in Detroit, Oregon, in charge of Resource Management. An avid outdoorsman, he spent his spare time fishing and taking his family hiking and backpacking.
The summer of 1972, Ed was selected to lead a team that developed a management plan for the newly created Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area on the Siuslaw National Forest in Reedsport, Oregon.
In the spring of 1975, he was promoted again to District Ranger on the Tieton Ranger District of Wenatchee National Forest, near Naches, Washington. This was very diverse district which included a wilderness area and a ski area on approximately 120,000 acres of National Forest land. These two areas had no formal management plan, so Ed’s assignment was to create and implement a multiple use land management plan, as well manage the efforts of 200 subordinates. Always looking to expand family outdoor activities, here they took up downhill skiing, cycling, running, camping, bird hunting and took their hiking to a new level, regularly logging 300+ miles in a summer. All this rating culminated in the ascent of Mount Rainer, the highest mountain in the Pacific Northwest.
1979 he was transferred to District Ranger at Estacada, Oregon on the Mt Hood National Forest. Here he developed a management plan for the new created Mt Jefferson Wilderness Area.
While here, his kids Cathy and Steve were finishing high school. The school failed to secure funding for its budget and was forced to close for over a month. Ed ran for the school board and quickly became president of the board. He was able to get the school reopened quickly and was widely hailed for his open/honest communication and his ability to listen to the public.
Ed also became a member of the Portland Wheelman, he and Pat regularly participated in club bicycle rides. They eventually purchased a custom tandem bicycle and became very skilled at riding together, often outpacing some of the best single riders. Their best single day effort stands 250 miles.
Promoted again in 1982, Ed was put in charge of Timber Management on the 1.32-million-acre Gifford Pinchot National Forest, necessitating a move to Vancouver, Washington.
In August of 1987, he was promoted and transferred to the Washington, DC Office of the United States Forest Service as Director of Timber Sales nationally. Here Ed and Pat enjoyed all the museums and monuments D.C. has to offer, with the added benefit of being close to Pat’s family.
In spring of 1991 he transferred to San Francisco, California as head of Timber Management for Region Five (California and Hawaii). Ed spent significant time filling in as Deputy Regional Forester before retiring. He was also sent as a delegate to the World Forestry Congress in Paris, France. Pat joined him on the Post Congress Tour in the French Alps, where he gave a speech to hundreds of foresters from around the world.
Settled in Vallejo, California, one of their first visits to Community Presbyterian Church happened to be Father’s Day and there was a luncheon put on by the women of the church. The Minister asked them to join him at a table and asked Ed what were the top two things he always wanted to do. Ed said “that is easy”, I want to learn to play the bagpipes and paint with water colors. The minister said “well, not sure about painting with water colors but we have three bagpipers here in the church” and he pointed them out. That afternoon Ed met with them and he was on his way. He bought Great Highland Pipes from Scotland and piped for over 20 years, until 2015 when side effects of cancer treatment prevented him from playing.
Retiring in 1995 Ed and Pat started a small business, operated out of their home in Vallejo. In 2004 they were looking for a change of pace and decided to move back to Iowa. After touring many towns, they decided on Burlington. Once established in Burlington, Ed was asked to be the manager of Footnotes Bookstore at the local library. A wonderful fit considering Ed’s love of books and history. Always a volunteer, he did this for seven years and became quite a reliable resource for many of Burlington’s citizens.
Retirement also gave him time to pursue many of his other interests, which included, painting with water colors, volunteering at the First Presbyterian Church, singing in the choir and international travel. He never said no to a new adventure, traveling to over 25 countries, from the Middle East to Europe and Southeast Asia. Ed and Pat also enjoyed touring the country in their RV, often taking their grandkids out on epic adventures.
Family surviving: his wife Pat Whitmore, daughter Cathy Brink, son Cap. Steve (Malou) Whitmore, grandchildren Dr. Austin (Dr. Alethiea) Whitmore, Alexandria Brink, Ashley Brink and great grandchildren Liam Mitchel and Adalynn Brianne Stevens; two brothers, Michael Douglas (Mary) Whitmore, Richard Lee (Caroline) Whitmore and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death: parents, sister, Adena Kay Anderson and brother Phillip Bruce Whitmore.
The funeral service for Mr. Ralph Edward “Ed” Whitmore, will be held at the First Presbyterian Church. 11 am Friday, September 20, 2024, with the Rev. Dick Johnson officiating. The family will receive friends 10 am until the time of service.
A memorial has been established for the First Presbyterian Church Organ Fund.
Inurnment will be held 11 am Saturday, September 21st in Aspen Grove Cemetery.
Lunning Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.