On September 8, 2006, we lost our friend and colleague, Phil Whiting. He was a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) who conducted a practice in Santa Monica for almost exactly 50 years before retiring his CPA certificate in October 1996. Phil is survived by: his wife since July 1945, Jane Newcomb Whiting. (They met in Miami, Florida in 1945 when both were serving in the U.S. Navy at Opa-Locka Naval Air station.) Three daughters: Kathleen of Torrance, CA, Linda of Los Angeles, CA and Patricia of Ontario, CA. Two sons: Douglas of Venice, CA, and Scott of Northport, AL. Two daughters-in-law: Carmen Whiting of Venice, CA, and Laura Whiting of Northport, AL, along with her children from a previous marriage, Jason, Jim, Kirsten, and Lisa. One granddaughter: Rebecca Lynn of Northport, AL.
"Whitey" was a combat aircrewman (radio navigator) in the U.S. Navy during World War II and a holder of the Combat Aircrewman's Roll of Honor while also being decorated with numerous others including Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medals (2) and a Purple Heart. He considered himself very lucky in that he survived the crash landings of two of his TBF planes - once in the Atlantic Ocean and once in the Pacific Ocean.
Within Rotary, we will remember Phil for his support and commitment to Rotary, including 46 years of perfect attendance. Following is an article Phil published in 1975:
THE MEANING OF PERFECT ATTENDANCE
I made up my mind to maintain perfect attendance in Rotary because my late father-in-law, Walt Newcomb, and late partner, Ev Plumer, both by spirit and example indicated that this requirement of membership was surely one thing that a new member could do to support his club. But on top of the usual fellowship, one can also learn from the programs since they cover such a wide range of topics.
Not being much of a traveler with five children and professional business responsibilities during the first years of my Rotary membership, it was only necessary for me to set a top priority to my Friday schedule and budget the two hours from 12 till 2 for attendance each week. I've really only had to make up out of the Bay Area less than one handful of times as I best recall.
Why do I continue to maintain a perfect attendance record? Habit and personal satisfaction most of all, but also I get a break away from my desk to listen to others talk on subjects that I would otherwise miss out on--and the time is certainly well worth whatever time and dollar cost might be involved.
I think that we are creatures of habit to a great extent: and bad habits are easy to develop. So I try to maintain my attendance as an effort and to be regularly reminded by the example of other Rotarians to try to become a better individual and to serve. That's Rotary as I partly see it.