Arthur "Allen" Whittier

Arthur Allen Whittier NORFOLK - Arthur "Allen" Whittier of Norfolk/Virginia Beach and Chestertown, Md., died March 2, 2009. Allen was born May 11, 1938, in Portsmouth, the son of the late U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Arthur Whittier and Lillian Lamont. After graduating from Virginia Tech, Mr. Whittier served his country as a U.S. Marine Corps officer (1961-64) during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged as a first lieutenant after four years of service. Mr. Whittier graduated from Norview High School in Norfolk and excelled in athletics throughout his early life. Allen was First Team All-Tidewater, All-State and All-American in football in 1955 as well as All-Norfolk in basketball and baseball. For many decades after his graduation, The "Whittier Award" was given to the Norview High School athlete of the year in his honor. He went on to play collegiately at Virginia Tech (1957-60) where he was a two-time All-Southern Conference and Honorable Mention All-American Offensive Tackle, as well as being named the Virginia State College Lineman of the Year in 1960. Allen also served as team captain in 1960. After his service in the Marine Corps, Mr. Whittier went on to a brief stint professionally with the New Orleans Saints and Hamilton Tiger Cats of the Canadian Football League before landing in the newly formed World Football League with the Richmond Road Runners (1968-69). His son Scott, also played football at the University of Maryland (1985-90). Football was a big part of "Big Al's" life. In addition to coaching for Queen Anne's County High School in Maryland and Princess Anne High School, he started a little league football program in the Kempsville area of Virginia Beach, that is still ongoing today (1970s). After 15 years, Allen retired from the VA State Department of Corrections and moved to Chestertown, Md., with his wife Polly. He enjoyed gardening, traveling, cutting wood, helping his wife with her crafts and spending time with his grandchildren. As well, he continued working on American football in Puerto Vallarta for under privileged boys. He is survived by his wife, "Polly" Tarbutton of Chestertown; two daughters, Stephanie Whittier of New York City and Susann Whittier of Richmond, Va.; two sons, Scott Whittier of Bethesda, Md., and Stephen Whittier of Daytona Beach, Fla.; two sisters, Pat Hoffman of Virginia Beach, BeBe Buck of Sarasota, Fla.; and six grandchildren, Zeke Whittier, Cassie Whittier, Thomas Whittier, Zach Whittier, Carson Whittier and Max Brickman. His first wife, Peggy Jo Robinson, formerly of Norfolk, passed away March 4, 2005. A memorial service will be held today at 1 p.m. at the Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, 130 Speer Road, Chestertown, Md. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to the American Cancer Society Eastern Shore Chapter, P.O. Box 163, Salisbury, MD 21801 or Art in Education "Country Craft Guild," P.O. Box 701, Chestertown, MD 21620.