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Albert Whitenack Obituary
Sadly on May 29th, 2010 with his children by his side Albert Wesley Whitenack passed away at Renown Hospital in Reno, NV. He was 61. A memorial service will be held Friday June 11th at 2:30 p.m. at Walton's Funeral Home on Second Street in Reno, NV.
Al was born to Harvey Whitenack and Lucille Hedley on April 21st, 1949 in Susanville, CA. He moved to Reno at age 4. He graduated from Reno High School in 1967 and earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in January of 1972 from the University of Nevada Reno. He served in the Peace Corps from 1974 to 1976 in El Salvador. In November of 1978, he married Mary Chambers and had two children, Allen and Lia. In 1984 despite working full time and having two children, Al received a Masters Degree in Special Education from the University of Nevada Reno.
Before leaving for the Peace Corps, Al began working for the State of Nevada as an orderly for the State Mental Health Hospital. Upon his return he was rehired as the leisure hour coordinator. When the Sierra Developmental Center (now the Sierra Regional Center) opened, Al was hired as a Recreational Therapist. He worked there until he retired in 2005. Al was the heart and soul of the SRC. He enriched hundreds upon hundreds of the residents as well as the employee's lives with his wonderful personality, bright smile and rich laughter.
As well as being an exemplary employee he was an even greater volunteer donating tens of thousands of hours of his time to the Special Olympics. Al was Special Olympics in northern Nevada For over thirty years he coached every sport that was offered, not only for the Special Olympics but also for his children's various little league teams. In addition to all of this, he also was a teacher's aid for special education and a substitute teacher at various schools in Reno.
He loved sports, music, hiking and camping in the area. He was a regular at local concerts, UNR football and basketball games, and more recently Reno Aces games.
He loved his children more than anything and did everything for them, but his proudest moment was the birth of his granddaughter Isabelle in 2002.
He is survived by his son Allen Whitenack and daughter-in-law Susan Whitenack; his daughter Lia Salter; his granddaughter Isabelle Ramos: his brother Donald Price and sister Geraldine Lambert. In lieu of flowers the family is asking for donations to be made to the Special Olympics of Northern Nevada.
"Big Al" will always be remembered by so many in this community for his selflessness, compassion, humor, and good nature.
"The time for us has come to pause and think of living how it was. Into the future we must pass". - Jorma Kaukonen
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Albert Whitenack
Stacey Piper Kupski
July 2, 2010
Uncle Al,
I couldn't resist writing one more message in your guest book before it "goes to press." I was honored to be your favorite niece -- what a totally AWESOME uncle you are! (I say ARE because you're still with me; I just have a new way of communicating with you.) My heart is bleeding with sorrow right now because I miss you so very much...but I know I will see you again in a lovely place filled with unparalleled joy & happiness!
Austin and Margo Wilson
June 16, 2010
As parents of a Special Olympian, and volunteers as well, we were fortunate to have been included in Al's circle of friends and aquaintences.
What a Great and selfless individual he was.
He will be deeply missed.
Cathy&Maurice Johnson
June 11, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Tiffany Kimsey
June 10, 2010
To The Whitenack family,
I just want to say sorry for your lost. Al was a great person, like I said in my last entry he was a good caring guy. I rembered going up to sunnyvell California for the softball tournament in 2008. All Al wanted from his athletes was to do there best and just have fun.
Paul, Dinah and Cameron Deane
June 9, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Al was a wonderful kind support for my son going thru elementary school and beyond. He encouraged him to participate when it was difficult. I can still my son hugging Al's tree trunk of a leg, even though it has been many years. May God speed you on your journey.
Jeri Lambert
June 9, 2010
I was blessed to have Al as my "baby" brother for 61 years -- I loved every one of them. Al took such good care of me and all of his family. My life will be forever changed.
I love you always,
"Sissy"
Jeri Lambert
Vern and Cathy Parkin
June 9, 2010
WE want to extend our sadness to Allen, Susie and Lia also. We kept in contact with Al when he was going through his cancer and we were trying to keep up his spirits to never give up. I wish we could have been there in person instead of email but we did have several good conversations and enjoyed his e-mails when he was able to send them. I know how much his kids loved and will miss him but he is watching over all of them right now in Heaven. His daughter-in-law loved him also very much. When her and Allen got married the first thing I heard him say was "Now she is a Whitenack". What good memories you have to keep with you.
John Kupski
June 9, 2010
A wonderful family man, a great brother and father who was very proud of his children and totally enamored with his grandaughter. His spirit of joy and friendship was felt by all around him. His charisms will be missed by all who knew him and came in contact with him.
Sandie Nicholson
June 9, 2010
Dear Whitenack family
my deepest sympathy - i met Al only a few times through Lia - what a wonderful man he was. i only heard the stories of his experiences and would have liked to have known him longer. he will be missed by all that knew him and loved him. and we will all see him again when our time comes.
GOD BLESS THE WHITENACK FAMILY
Sandie
June 9, 2010
To the Whitenack,
I just wanted to say my prayers are with you guys. I met Al through Special Olympics in 2006. I have be with Al as an athlete. He was a good caring person.
Bruce Svensson
June 8, 2010
I met Al at UNR...between 1968 and 1973. We became friends and went to several rock concerts together. He was a very kind and gentle man. And, after reading other guest book comments, I see he continued to spread his kindness to others. I'm certain his family will miss him dearly. My prayers go with you.
Anne Flake
June 8, 2010
Lia,
My deepest and sincerest condolences go out to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers will be for you and Isabelle and the rest of your family during this difficult time.
Nick Pribila
June 8, 2010
The little time I spent with Al were some very wonderful memories. He was someone who always made sure people around him were taken care of and he was very welcoming. I first met Al at Special Olympics, he asked me if I would be an umpire. From the very first time I meet Al he was very welcoming and friendly. I was nervous I had never volunteered or done anything with Special Olympics but it turned out to be a great day. Al was everything my wife Jessica pribila said he would be. I could see that on that warm sunny day in summer of 2007 that people loved him and he was someone that everyone looked up too. I certaintly did! I also went to a bbq at Al's house with Jessica, Lia and other friends of Al. He made me feel very comfortable, even though I only knew a few people there. He was such an easy person to talk too. Al you will be forever missed, but never forgotten.
Susan Whitenack
June 8, 2010
I truly believe people come into your life for a reason, even if you don't know it at the time. Al's time in my life let me experience what it means to live life to the fullest, know what true selflessness really is, and most of all how important pure love is. I will miss him every day, but will never forget how important those golden rules are. I am truly blessed to be married to Allen who possesses many of the great qualities that his father taught him.
Alan and Nancie Shaw
June 7, 2010
Our thoughts and our hearts and our prayers go out to all of Al's family. I remember SO many wonderful occasions at his sister Jeri's house, with his brother-in-law- Howard, his niece Stacey and all of the extended family. I remember when the SO beautiful Isabella was born and HOW proud he was to be a grandpa to such a lovely little girl. Jeri and Stacey hold a very special place in our hearts, as do everyone in Al's family. He will live on in the good memories! His laughter, infectious smile and goodness will be sorely missed by everyone whose life he touched. Godspeed, Al!
danny manha
June 7, 2010
i miss you and your gentle and kind nature, your sense of humour, your love for your fellow man. You were an inspiration, and if there is a heaven, i know you will be there.
Robert Cole
June 5, 2010
Al was a great man and a good friend to my mother. He was a Role model for me as he was a strong hard working man. In the years i was friends with his Childern he always made me feel welcome and showed me nothing but respect. With him and my mother i learned to be patiant and a better person through Special Olympics. Only thing i regreat is that it had been so long since i had seen him. Al you will be missed greatly.
Norma Chacon
June 5, 2010
My deepest condolences to you and your family Lia. You're in my thoughts. Take care.
cayle walker
June 5, 2010
Al took me to Las Vegas and to Kirkwood. He was a NICE man. Now he is in Heaven with Jesus and the sun.
Denise Lamb
June 5, 2010
God has you in His keeping, I have you in my heart.
Lisa Chapin
June 5, 2010
Al, I will miss you. I learned so much from you in my years at SRC. Most of all to have joy for what you do.
Go Giants!
Lisa Chapin
Marilyn and Ben Loveless
June 4, 2010
Al has been a friend and a coach to our daughter, Erinn, for over 15 years. He was an amazing man, always supporting the Special Olympic athletes in sports, enriching their lives by getting them involved, and challenging them to try harder. He helped his athletes develop friendships and have fun. Al was fun! He was patient, kind, caring, and always gave so much of himself to others.
Our family is so very sad he is gone, but he will live on in our hearts and memories. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Shannon Swim
June 4, 2010
Lia and family, I am so sorry for your loss. My heart aches for you. I know what a cool person your dad was. I will always remember the times we all spent together! Hang in there.
Jeremiah Diaz
June 4, 2010
I wish you the best. My prayers are with you. You have always and will always be one of my best friends. If you need anything lemme know. I'm sorry for your loss
Lia Salter
June 4, 2010
Thank you to everyone for the kind words about my dad. He was an amazing father and I told him shortly before he died that he made my brother and I the people we are today. He was always supportive and embraced who we were. He was my daughters favorite person in the world and I am happy for all the time we had together and good memories.
Melva Coburn
June 4, 2010
My deepest sympathies. Al Whitenack could stand as a symbol for all that is right in our world. Although our relationship was long distance, I counted on Al a lot from the first days on the job with Special Olympics. He will be missed.
Allen Whitenack
June 4, 2010
I cannot thank everyone enough for all the kind words. Not only did I lose my father but I lost my best friend. I will miss him dearly.
Susan
June 4, 2010
I didn't know Al very well; only when he was a sub at our school. But he bubbly personality was infectious. I know that he will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Now he is God's angel in heaven and at peace. My heart goes out to his family.
Mike Ramos
June 4, 2010
When Suzanne, my wife, and I visited Al in the hospital a few months back when he started feeling ill he said that he hoped that it wasn’t anything too serious and that, with treatment, he would be able to get better soon. But it wasn’t a selfish wish. He said he wasn’t ready to leave yet because he wanted to be around to watch Isabelle, his (and Suzanne and my) 7-year old grand daughter, grow up. To be there to watch her learn to drive and to watch her get married and have her own family. Well Al, I guess you can still watch her grow and eventually raise her own family, and attend to her now with guardian care from your special place in Heaven. I’ll never be able to replace you, but I will do my best to give her good guidance, now as her sole grandfather. God bless you and your family, Al. You are missed and you will always have a special place in my heart.
June 3, 2010
I am so sorry to hear of your loss, what a great loss. We graduated together from Reno High School. I hope peace and comfort will find their way to you soon. Lorrie Hadlock
Lorrie Hadlock
June 3, 2010
I am so sorry to hear of your loss, what a great loss. We graduated together from Reno High School. I hope peace and comfort will find their way to you soon. Lorrie Hadlock
Stacey Piper Kupski
June 3, 2010
I truly loved my Uncle Al -- what a lucky girl I was to have this man in my life! We were very close...every holiday, every birthday, every graduation...every ordinary day we shared time, laughs & hugs. I told him just two weeks ago that he was "an angel on earth." I then kissed him & gave him a hug. I had NO IDEA that would be the last time I would see him...for a while. Here's a message from your neice on earth: "I thank you, Uncle Al, for taking compassionate care of your sister, your children, your granddaughter, your students -- & a puppy named Thumper! (He loved you, too!)
I know Jesus has a special place for you in heaven. Until I see you again, save me place at the family dinner table up there, okay?
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH...
Michael Adams
June 3, 2010
I think Al was one of the kindest and most thoughtful persons I have ever met. We used to hang out together way back in high school with Dare DeLongchamps and Tom Wright, two other classmates who have died. Al always had a smile on his face and a warm greeting. I saw him not too long ago at Sports West and we had a great time sharing some old memories. He hadn't changed a bit.
What a good guy. I extend my warmest condolences to his family.
Gary Gerber-Winn
June 3, 2010
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Mike Yohey
June 3, 2010
Terry and I are so sorry for your loss, I was blessed to know Al since grammer school, junior high, and finally graduated together at Reno High. He will truly be missed by all.
Sad to see another class mate gone but not forgotten.
Dan Cerda
June 3, 2010
I first met Al in the early 90's. I worked at a private, non-profit home providing services to developmentally disabled folks. Our homes would participate in Special Olympics activities and that's where I met Al. He was the nicest person imaginable, always quick to laugh, providing support and encouragement to all of the Olympians. Later on in our lives we began playing poker together at the home of a mutual friend, and although many years had passed, Al was the same wonderful, affable person. We played cards, caught up on the past, talked about the future, and enjoyed some "adult libations". Everyone loved hearing Al tell stories of his very interesting life experiences. Later on, his son also joined in the game and he is a "chip off the old block", a fine young man. To say that Al will be sorely missed is an understatement. Earth's loss is Heaven's gain.
Candy Streeper
June 3, 2010
Allen and Lia, I am sorry for your loss. I have known your father for many years and have loved his humor and kindness. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
cheryl price
June 3, 2010
i am one person that was in alberts life he was one of the best people you could come to know he would do anything for you at anytime he just loved life to its fullest and nothing was more important than his family where he will be greatly missed. i send my love to his kids & family cheryl price tulare calif.
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