Roger D. Whitehead M.D.

REDDING - Roger D. Whitehead, M.D. was born January 19, 1924 in Ventura, California and died July 1, 2008 in Redding, California.


He attended school in Pasadena, California and from high school joined the Naval Air Corps. in late 1942. He received his gold wings and officers commission in July 1943 at Corpus Christi, Texas and, after checking-out on carrier landings and take offs he finally got into a Corsair fighter-bomber squadron, which had been his most desired goal. He had over a hundred take offs and landings on carriers while stationed in the Pacific until November 1945.

He attended Occidental College in Los Angeles from 1946-1948, then medical school at George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington D.C. for four years followed by internship in Oakland, California for one year. He finished his three year residency in OB/GYN 'at George Washington University Hospital and D.C. General Hospital.

From 1955-1959 he practiced OB/GYN in Los Angeles and was on the USC Medical School faculty as a clinical instructor. After four years, he left Los Angeles and moved to Redding, California in 1959 and was happy living in the North State and practicing OB/GYN until his retirement in 1986.

In 1975 he married his wife Sandy and as a family they enjoyed motorcycle riding, trips in the brush buggy all over the back country, skiing, golf, tennis, hunting, and exploring the West in their motorhome.

He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Sandy, son Steven Whitehead of Sacramento, daughters, Lisa MacGregor of Redding, Teri Rosette of Portland, Oregon, Anna Whitehead of Redding and grandchildren, Colin, Brooke, Katy, Darby, Evan, Michael, Thomas, and Gracie. He was predeceased by daughter, Rhonda McIntosh.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2008, 1 p.m. at the Allen & Dahl Funeral Chapel in Palo Cedro.