David Kent Whittaker

David Kent Whittaker, 72, passed away amid long standing health challenges on June 20, 2025.
David was born in Scranton, PA on July 31, 1952, to Methodist minister Charles "Chick" Whittaker, and his accomplished musician and teacher wife Diana "Dee" Whittaker.
By elementary school David already excelled in science. He loved to learn and explore. He had a happy childhood, swimming in lakes and traveling with his loving family, who provided a solid spiritual foundation for David and his younger brother Rick.
After graduating from high school in Pennsylvania, David got his BA in 1974 from Drew University, where his father Chick had earned his Divinity degree.
Literally, David's entire life was dedicated to helping and caring for others. He immersed himself in the lives of those he loved.
David was fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) and had a Master of Counseling from Gallaudet University School for the Deaf.
His early love of science led him to become a Dr of Chiropractic (DC from Texas Chiropractic College). From then on, everyone came to know him as "Dr Dave."
In the second half of his professional life, he became a therapist which served his deep commitment to mental health. For the next 30 years, he got as much from giving to his patients and colleagues, as they got from his wisdom, and his kindness. He was a great listener and mentor, to all who knew him.
He lived a full and meaningful personal life. His love of music was a constant in David's life. He spent hours singing in church with his Dad Chick, listening to his mother Dee playing piano, and impressing his brother Rick with his rock and roll riffs. In his later years he rediscovered a passion for writing music, singing and playing guitar.
Throughout his life David loved and taught Martial Arts. A 4th Degree Black Belt, he helped his wife Robyn and son Trey achieve Black Belt status in Taekwondo.
David had always loved water and lakes. So, in late middle age, he moved his family to be near one. He owned and loved boats and went for daily walks by Lake Conroe.
Anyone who ever had a conversation with David understood that he was a deeply spiritual human being, whose purpose in this lifetime was to care for and love his family.
David is survived by his beloved wife of 33yrs Robyn Fairchild-Whittaker; his accomplished son Trey Edward Shults and Ashley Shults; his dear friend and brother Rick Whittaker, and his family Ruby, Casey, Amanda and their children Niko and Coco; and 3 of the best friends a man could ever have: Bill Glenn, Jay Dedrick and Steve Bruman.
The family will hold a sunset memorial by a lake in the near future and details will be shared here.
The family welcomes donations to:
Doctors Without Borders, or Mental Health America.