Obituary of Gordon G. Whitney

Dr. Gordon G. Whitney, 67, of Meadville, PA and a former resident of Titusville, PA died on Tuesday, November 18, 2014. He was born in Jersey Shore, PA, on September 8, 1947. Gordon attended Titusville High School for 3 ½ years and graduated from Mount Gilead High School, Mount Gilead, OH in 1965. He graduated from Denison University in Granville, OH in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. He was a Presidential Scholar and a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Zi. Following his graduation, he taught at Grant Life Science Center near Kettering, OH. He subsequently earned a Master’s Degree and PhD in Environmental Science from Yale University. He pursued post-doctoral studies at the Harvard Forest in Petersham, Massachusetts. Dr. Whitney taught Botany and Environmental Science courses at the College of Wooster, Wooster, OH for approximately 10 years. After teaching Environmental Science courses at Yale University for a year, he moved back to Titusville and served as an Assistant Professor at Allegheny College in Meadville, where he taught in the Biology and Environmental Science departments for many years. Dr. Whitney published articles in numerous scientific journals and published a book, From Coastal Wilderness to Fruited Plain, a History of Environmental Change in Temperate North America, 1500 to the Present, which was published by Cambridge University Press in 1994. This book was awarded a medal by the Forest History Association. He was working on a sequel until shortly before his death. Gordon was an active member of the Breedtown Baptist Church in Titusville for 15 years where he taught the adult Sunday School Class. He enjoyed hiking in the woods, taking his students on nature hikes and field trips, and biking. His hobbies included playing chess, listening to classical music, and collecting coins. He also enjoyed gardening and raised prairie flowers at his home in Titusville. Dr. Whitney was predeceased by his father and mother, Rev. Vernon G. Whitney and Genevieve C. Gordon Whitney of Titusville. He is survived by a sister, Loralyn Whitney of Edinboro. Friends may call at the Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home 303 N. Washington St., Titusville on Monday from 11:00 to 1:00 with the service to follow at 1:00 conducted by Pastor Gary Kinnear and Pastor Nate Stein, officiating. Interment will be in Crown Hill Cemetery, Twinsburg, OH. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association 1128 State St., Suite 302, Erie, PA 16501. If you would like to leave a condolence for the family, go to garrettfuneralhomeinc.com.