John Whitaker

John Firman Whitaker, 66, of Dexter, Michigan, passed away Thursday, Feb. 12, peacefully at the hospital surrounded by his wife and children.

Born March 3, 1959, in Penn Yan, New York, John graduated from Penn Yan Academy in 1977 where he is a member of the PYA Hall of Fame as the starting center of the undefeated 1976 State Champion Mustang football team. John went on to Bucknell University, where he earned his degree in Physics. While at Bucknell, John was the president of the Kappa Delta Rho fraternity, as well as a baseball letterman. John then earned his Doctorate in Electrical Engineering from the University of Rochester in 1988.

John was an internationally respected researcher in the fields of high-speed optoelectronics, microwave photonics, and the practical applications of phenomena in these areas. He was a longtime employee for the University of Michigan, serving as a research scientist and adjunct professor in the electrical engineering department for close to 35 years. During his tenure he earned a Research Scientist Recognition Award for his work in 2001. John also co-founded two highly successful small businesses, including Advanced Fiber Sensors in 2010.

John married the love of his life Susan (Imhof) on July 1, 1989, in Rochester, New York. They went on to have three children, Andrew in 1991, Daniel in 1993, and Carolyn in 1995.

John was the most kind, gentle, and loving husband, father, and grandfather. Always level-headed and always an analytical thinker, almost to a tee. He was a passionate fan of the Baltimore Orioles, Indianapolis Colts, Buffalo Sabres, and Syracuse Orange men's basketball teams. He was also a war movie and history buff, enjoyed golfing with his sons, and passed along his love of 60s-70s rock music, and live music, with all three children.

He is survived by wife, Susan (Imhof) of Dexter, children Andrew (Madison) of Charlotte, NC, Daniel (Kori) of Aurora, CO, and Carolyn (Tyler) DeWine of Saline, and seven grandchildren, whom he adored. Also, by brother William Jr. (Patricia) and Pat (Don) Reeve, and seven nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by Father, William K. Whitaker Sr. in 2001, and Mother, Lynn (Graves) in 2010.

Visiting hours will be held from 3-5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16, at Nie Family Funeral Home, 3767 W. Liberty Road, Ann Arbor MI. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks for donations to the Cardiovascular Research Foundation.

"So we finish the eighteenth and he's gonna stiff me. And I say, "Hey, Lama, hey, how about a little something, you know, for the effort, you know." And he says, "Oh, uh, there won't be any money, but when you die, on your deathbed, you will receive total consciousness." So, I got that goin' for me, which is nice." - Carl Spackler (Caddyshack)