Charles H. "Chuckles" Whitehill

1930 - 2022

Charles H. Whitehill "Chuckles", a resident of Tucson since 1948, passed away peacefully, on July 5, 2022, at the age of 91.  Chuck was born on September 28, 1930 in Brooklyn, NY, the son of Isadore and Henrietta Whitehill (nee Gartenlaub). He was married to Benita Silvyn. Chuck had serious childhood asthma, which after graduating from Far Rockaway High School in 1948 at the age of 17, led him to fly to Tucson, to attend the University of Arizona for the 1948-49 school year, sight unseen. He became a huge Arizona sports fan, enjoyed the college experience, Jewish and fraternity campus life, joining Tau Delta Phi Fraternity, and becoming an active member of Hillel. After college graduation in 1952, with a B.S.B.A, Chuck went on to the University Of Arizona College Of Law and received his Bachelor of Laws (JD) in 1955.  Chuck met his first wife, Lorraine "Rainey" L. Goodhart, at the U of A, and they were married on December 26, 1955. Chuck and Rainey welcomed their son, James Arthur (Jim) in 1959 and daughter Judith Ann (Judi) in 1961. As a commercial lawyer, Chuck practiced law with over ten Tucson law firms, always serving as the senior partner. He was recognized locally as a leader in real estate foreclosure law, bankruptcy law and known as the "king of collections." He was a founding member of the Senior Lawyers Division of the Pima County Bar Association and a former chair of the State Bar of Arizona Creditor Rights Committee. Chuck was President of the Law College Association and was recognized as a 50 year member of the State Bar of Arizona.  He was a life trustee of Congregation Anshei Israel and the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona, and was its Young Man of the Year. Chuck was the president of the Tucson Civitan Club and a District Governor of Civitan International. Chuck was an avid sports fan and attended 1000's of Arizona Athletics events that spanned 73 years.  He was a member of the Wildcat Club, an Honorary Bobcat and an Honorary Lettermen. He was a knowledgeable fan and his recall of specific basketball games was amazing. Chuck was an Arizona football and basketball season ticketholder since graduating law school in 1955. He sat through 73 UA-ASU home basketball games, of which Arizona won 50 of them. As Chuck would often say, after the death of "Rainey" in 1993, he was twice blessed when he met and married Benita Silvyn in 1995.  They enjoyed Arizona basketball games, often travelling to away games, the theatre, especially UA Presents where Benita led the education and outreach program, dining out at favorite restaurants, travelling, including their honeymoon in England and trips to Chicago and New York, and especially being entertained by the accomplishments and activities of their seven grandchildren. Chuck was well-known for his outgoing personality, cheering for the WILDCATS, his kind heart, and his smile.  He loved people and always wanted to help them. He made sure that everyone parted with at least one or two packages of his famous "Chuckles" candies. Chuck is survived by his wife, Benita Silvyn, his son Jim (Jane Rodda) Whitehill, his daughter Judi Kessler, stepson Jeff (Keri) Silvyn, and stepdaughter Janice Silvyn; grandchildren, Mitch Kessler, Melissa (Jim) Neidinger, Andrew Whitehill, Allie Whitehill, Bennett Silvyn, Ethan Silvyn and Riley Silvyn, as well as nieces, nephews, and loving friends, near and far.  He was preceded in death by his first wife, "Rainey" Whitehill. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Lute Olson Endowed Scholarship for Excellence in Men's Basketball, Southern Poverty Law Center, or the Pima County Bar Foundation.  Services were held Friday July 8, 2022 at Congregation Anshei Israel, burial and interment followed at Evergreen Cemetery.