Robert Whittemore Littell

Robert Whittemore Littell died on Friday, January 19, 2024, at the age of 84. A lifelong educator, Robert dedicated his life to the advancement of children, serving as Headmaster at Riverside Presbyterian Day School from 1994 - 2008. He was dedicated to his family, especially Kristina (1947 - 2020), his wife of 48 years. They were married on November 23, 1972, and had two children, Andrew Whittemore Littell of Pittsburgh, PA, and Katherine Littell Hinchey, of Jacksonville. Robert is also survived by his 3 grandchildren, Lucia Orlando Littell (age 14), Greta Whittemore Littell (age 12), and Thomas James Hinchey (age 10), and his daughter-in-law Margo Littell and son-in-law Patrick Hinchey, all of whom he loved dearly.
Robert Whittemore Littell, the son of Whittemore Littell and Helen Folsom Littell, was born in New York City on May 5, 1939. Suffering from asthma, a condition that would affect him for his entire life, he soon moved to Cornish, NH, and then to Colorado Springs, CO, at the recommendation of his doctors. Living in Colorado had a deep and lasting impact on Robert, as he often explored on horseback the mountains surrounding Colorado Springs and Fountain Valley School, where he was a student and where his father taught math. Robert remained in Colorado Springs for college, graduating from Colorado College in 1963 with a BA in History.
Robert quickly realized that his lifelong love was teaching, and he held teaching positions early in his career at Marin Country Day School in Marin County, CA; Lake Forest Country Day School in Lake Forest, IL; Rye Country Day School in Rye, NY; and Greenwich Country Day School in Greenwich, CT, where he met the love of his life, Kristina Noel Witt, in 1971. Kristina and Robert soon moved to Castleton, NY, where Robert worked at Albany Academy. They had two children, twins, born in 1976, and in 1979 they moved to Owings Mills, MD, when Robert took the position of Head of Lower School at McDonogh School, where he would serve for 15 years before moving to Jacksonville.
Robert was passionate about many things in life, including music, history, singing, and the Boston Red Sox. He had an infectious laugh and smile, and a twinkle in his eye. He was fiercely loyal to his friends and family, and relished his time with them. He loved spending afternoons walking in his neighborhood in Avondale, visiting his childhood home in Cornish, NH, traveling with his family, and trying to forget Game 6 of the 1986 World Series and the ball that went between Bill Buckner's legs.
Robert leaves behind a legacy of caring for the thousands of children he taught. As a teacher, father, grandfather, and friend, he will be missed by us all.
There will be a service at Riverside Presbyterian Church at 10:00 a.m. on Friday February 9th, 2024. All are welcome to attend. Those wishing to remember Robert are also encouraged to donate to The Robert Littell Fund at Riverside Presbyterian Day School, a fund that supports media programs and students at the school.