Henry Whiting, Jr. (November 2, 1927 - August 6, 2021)
Henry Whiting, Jr., age 93, a longtime resident of Birmingham, Michigan, passed away on August 6, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. The second of four children, Henry, fondly known as Hank, was born on November 2, 1927 to Mary Macauley and Henry Whiting in Detroit, Michigan. Henry's beloved wife of 61 years, Clara Gordon Whiting, passed away in 2016. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Macauley, Beverly and Peter; and daughter Mary. He is survived by his children, Gordon, Henry III (Karen Hagenlocker), Ruth (John Loomis) and son-in-law Alex Veguilla; and four grandchildren, Frances, John Henry, Samantha and Alexandra (Matthew Kiger).
A graduate of Cranbrook Schools ('45) and Yale ('49, B.S. in Civil Engineering), Henry had a sharp intellect and an engaging sense of humor. His extensive book collection reflected his diverse interests in history, travel and the arts. He was a talented artist who enjoyed figure drawing and creating contemporary sculptures from alabaster. He was an avid skier on the slopes of northern Michigan and Santa Fe as well as a competitive tennis and squash player at the Birmingham Athletic Club.
Henry was a dynamic storyteller drawing upon many escapades from his childhood and college years as well as canoeing and fishing adventures with his wife, children and long-time friends. Over the years, these colorful reminiscences provided much laughter. During their lifetime together, Henry and Clara traveled throughout the U.S. and abroad. Opera and theater performances as well as art exhibitions were often the highlights of these excursions.
After a 27-year career at General Motors, he devoted much of his time to Kirk in the Hills Presbyterian Church and to the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center. At Kirk in the Hills, Henry served in many positions as a Trustee, Elder and Usher. He especially treasured his experience working on the Building and Grounds Committee, where he applied his engineering expertise and architectural knowledge to numerous projects.
At the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, Henry held many positions on the Board of Directors over the years, including Treasurer and President. In addition to his official and advisory roles at the Center, he was often on-site in the studios working on his own art. Henry, together with Clara, enthusiastically promoted and supported the Center's exhibition openings and fundraising events. He cherished his involvement with the Center and the enduring friendships from this commitment.
Family and friends are grateful for Henry's full and rich life, and he will be dearly missed by those who loved him.
A memorial service at Kirk in the Hills will be held later this fall.
Memorial tributes may be directed to Kirk in the Hills (Facilities Endowment Fund), 1340 W. Long Lake Rd., Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302 or the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, 1516 S. Cranbrook Rd., Birmingham, MI 48009.
Henry Whiting, Jr., age 93, a longtime resident of Birmingham, Michigan, passed away on August 6, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. The second of four children, Henry, fondly known as Hank, was born on November 2, 1927 to Mary Macauley and Henry Whiting in Detroit, Michigan. Henry's beloved wife of 61 years, Clara Gordon Whiting, passed away in 2016. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Macauley, Beverly and Peter; and daughter Mary. He is survived by his children, Gordon, Henry III (Karen Hagenlocker), Ruth (John Loomis) and son-in-law Alex Veguilla; and four grandchildren, Frances, John Henry, Samantha and Alexandra (Matthew Kiger).
A graduate of Cranbrook Schools ('45) and Yale ('49, B.S. in Civil Engineering), Henry had a sharp intellect and an engaging sense of humor. His extensive book collection reflected his diverse interests in history, travel and the arts. He was a talented artist who enjoyed figure drawing and creating contemporary sculptures from alabaster. He was an avid skier on the slopes of northern Michigan and Santa Fe as well as a competitive tennis and squash player at the Birmingham Athletic Club.
Henry was a dynamic storyteller drawing upon many escapades from his childhood and college years as well as canoeing and fishing adventures with his wife, children and long-time friends. Over the years, these colorful reminiscences provided much laughter. During their lifetime together, Henry and Clara traveled throughout the U.S. and abroad. Opera and theater performances as well as art exhibitions were often the highlights of these excursions.
After a 27-year career at General Motors, he devoted much of his time to Kirk in the Hills Presbyterian Church and to the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center. At Kirk in the Hills, Henry served in many positions as a Trustee, Elder and Usher. He especially treasured his experience working on the Building and Grounds Committee, where he applied his engineering expertise and architectural knowledge to numerous projects.
At the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, Henry held many positions on the Board of Directors over the years, including Treasurer and President. In addition to his official and advisory roles at the Center, he was often on-site in the studios working on his own art. Henry, together with Clara, enthusiastically promoted and supported the Center's exhibition openings and fundraising events. He cherished his involvement with the Center and the enduring friendships from this commitment.
Family and friends are grateful for Henry's full and rich life, and he will be dearly missed by those who loved him.
A memorial service at Kirk in the Hills will be held later this fall.
Memorial tributes may be directed to Kirk in the Hills (Facilities Endowment Fund), 1340 W. Long Lake Rd., Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302 or the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, 1516 S. Cranbrook Rd., Birmingham, MI 48009.
Henry Whiting, Jr. (November 2, 1927 - August 6, 2021)
Henry Whiting, Jr., age 93, a longtime resident of Birmingham, Michigan, passed away on August 6, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. The second of four children, Henry, fondly known as Hank, was born on November 2, 1927 to Mary Macauley and Henry Whiting in Detroit, Michigan. Henry's beloved wife of 61 years, Clara Gordon Whiting, passed away in 2016. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Macauley, Beverly and Peter; and daughter Mary. He is survived by his children, Gordon, Henry III (Karen Hagenlocker), Ruth (John Loomis) and son-in-law Alex Veguilla; and four grandchildren, Frances, John Henry, Samantha and Alexandra (Matthew Kiger).
A graduate of Cranbrook Schools ('45) and Yale ('49, B.S. in Civil Engineering), Henry had a sharp intellect and an engaging sense of humor. His extensive book collection reflected his diverse interests in history, travel and the arts. He was a talented artist who enjoyed figure drawing and creating contemporary sculptures from alabaster. He was an avid skier on the slopes of northern Michigan and Santa Fe as well as a competitive tennis and squash player at the Birmingham Athletic Club.
Henry was a dynamic storyteller drawing upon many escapades from his childhood and college years as well as canoeing and fishing adventures with his wife, children and long-time friends. Over the years, these colorful reminiscences provided much laughter. During their lifetime together, Henry and Clara traveled throughout the U.S. and abroad. Opera and theater performances as well as art exhibitions were often the highlights of these excursions.
After a 27-year career at General Motors, he devoted much of his time to Kirk in the Hills Presbyterian Church and to the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center. At Kirk in the Hills, Henry served in many positions as a Trustee, Elder and Usher. He especially treasured his experience working on the Building and Grounds Committee, where he applied his engineering expertise and architectural knowledge to numerous projects.
At the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, Henry held many positions on the Board of Directors over the years, including Treasurer and President. In addition to his official and advisory roles at the Center, he was often on-site in the studios working on his own art. Henry, together with Clara, enthusiastically promoted and supported the Center's exhibition openings and fundraising events. He cherished his involvement with the Center and the enduring friendships from this commitment.
Family and friends are grateful for Henry's full and rich life, and he will be dearly missed by those who loved him.
A memorial service at Kirk in the Hills will be held later this fall.
Memorial tributes may be directed to Kirk in the Hills (Facilities Endowment Fund), 1340 W. Long Lake Rd., Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302 or the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, 1516 S. Cranbrook Rd., Birmingham, MI 48009.
Henry Whiting, Jr., age 93, a longtime resident of Birmingham, Michigan, passed away on August 6, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. The second of four children, Henry, fondly known as Hank, was born on November 2, 1927 to Mary Macauley and Henry Whiting in Detroit, Michigan. Henry's beloved wife of 61 years, Clara Gordon Whiting, passed away in 2016. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Macauley, Beverly and Peter; and daughter Mary. He is survived by his children, Gordon, Henry III (Karen Hagenlocker), Ruth (John Loomis) and son-in-law Alex Veguilla; and four grandchildren, Frances, John Henry, Samantha and Alexandra (Matthew Kiger).
A graduate of Cranbrook Schools ('45) and Yale ('49, B.S. in Civil Engineering), Henry had a sharp intellect and an engaging sense of humor. His extensive book collection reflected his diverse interests in history, travel and the arts. He was a talented artist who enjoyed figure drawing and creating contemporary sculptures from alabaster. He was an avid skier on the slopes of northern Michigan and Santa Fe as well as a competitive tennis and squash player at the Birmingham Athletic Club.
Henry was a dynamic storyteller drawing upon many escapades from his childhood and college years as well as canoeing and fishing adventures with his wife, children and long-time friends. Over the years, these colorful reminiscences provided much laughter. During their lifetime together, Henry and Clara traveled throughout the U.S. and abroad. Opera and theater performances as well as art exhibitions were often the highlights of these excursions.
After a 27-year career at General Motors, he devoted much of his time to Kirk in the Hills Presbyterian Church and to the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center. At Kirk in the Hills, Henry served in many positions as a Trustee, Elder and Usher. He especially treasured his experience working on the Building and Grounds Committee, where he applied his engineering expertise and architectural knowledge to numerous projects.
At the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, Henry held many positions on the Board of Directors over the years, including Treasurer and President. In addition to his official and advisory roles at the Center, he was often on-site in the studios working on his own art. Henry, together with Clara, enthusiastically promoted and supported the Center's exhibition openings and fundraising events. He cherished his involvement with the Center and the enduring friendships from this commitment.
Family and friends are grateful for Henry's full and rich life, and he will be dearly missed by those who loved him.
A memorial service at Kirk in the Hills will be held later this fall.
Memorial tributes may be directed to Kirk in the Hills (Facilities Endowment Fund), 1340 W. Long Lake Rd., Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302 or the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, 1516 S. Cranbrook Rd., Birmingham, MI 48009.
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