Roger Moffet Whitson
July 31, 1932 - July 22, 2023
Obituary
The second child of James and Nettie Whitson, Roger was born in Rushville, Illinois during the Depression. His family (including older brother Art and younger sister Frances June) moved to a small farm in nearby Astoria several years later, and it was there Roger formed his earliest memories. Following the birth of Roger’s sister Dorothy, their father threw over farming, and after several years jobbing in Pontiac and Wilmington, he moved the family to Richland, Washington in 1944, and finally Kennewick in 1945.
Roger spent much of high school trying to avoid Mr. Clark’s science classes, notorious for ruining grade points. Clark instead inspired in him a lifelong interest in science along with the confidence to consider a career in engineering. He graduated from Kennewick High in 1950 and enlisted in the Navy the following spring. To his great relief, Roger saw little action during the Korean War, and served through the decommissioning of his ship, the USS Frybarger, in 1954.
He began his pursuit of an advanced degree first at Illinois Wesleyan, then transferred to the University of Illinois. Roger received his master’s degree in electrical engineering and accepted a job offer at Boeing in 1961. He purchased an old houseboat on Lake Union with his friend Jim, whom he met in the young adult group at Seattle First United Methodist Church. An avid chorister, he lent his tenor voice to the sanctuary choir, and therein caught the attention of June Drennan. The attraction was mutual, and the two were wed in April of 1963. Son Jim arrived the following year, a house of Roger’s design was built above Auburn the year following that, and in it the three of them welcomed Sharon in 1966 and Kathleen in 1970.
Roger distinguished himself over 35 years in Boeing’s aerospace and military divisions as a phased-array radar expert. He was steady and unerring in his career and personal life, loyal to wife, family, and friends. By the time his kids were married off, he deployed Boeing’s golden parachute, moving to a condo on Harbor Avenue with his beloved June. The two of them traveled extensively in the ensuing years. Following Sharon’s lead, they became parishioners at St. James Cathedral, enjoying a long Indian summer in that community of faith, singing and touring with the choir.
He was a gentle man. His good humor and friendly, mild manner set the tone for the household, and endeared him to his wife and kids. He was trustworthy and reliable, the best of neighbors. Roger neither drank nor swore (“Blast!” was as hard as it got,) and was never biting or sarcastic. Naturally somewhat retiring, Roger was a good foil for June’s extroverted personality, but he could be roused to conviviality when they hosted family or friends. His smile and relaxed mien always put others at their ease. His was a personality founded on kindness and honesty, a worthy model for his grateful family.
Parkinson’s disease finally consumed Roger just a few days shy of his 91st birthday. He went out peacefully, ever the gentleman.
Roger is survived by his wife June, son Jim, daughters Sharon and Kathleen; their spouses, Patty, Steve, and Nick; his granddaughter Molly and grandsons Charles, Clayton, and Joseph. He is also survived by older brother Art, his wife Lou, younger sister Dorothy, and a host of nephews and nieces.
A service to honor Roger will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, September 18 at St. James Cathedral in Seattle.