Robert (Bob) Vernon Whitaker was born January 23, 1938, in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Courtney Vernon and Ollye Mae (Clayton) Whitaker and passed from this life on September 5, 2025, at the age of 87.

Bob grew up in Tulsa and graduated from Webster High School in 1956. He then attended Oklahoma State University and subsequently joined the U.S. Army in October 1960 serving as a law clerk for the Judge Advocate General in Anchorage, Alaska. During his service in the Army, Bob was known as an excellent marksman.

Bob worked as an auditor in the accounting department at Skelly/Getty Oil Co. in Tulsa for many years, retiring in 1985 from then Texaco. He then moved to San Diego to enjoy the ocean life and enjoyed his time as a bartender at the San Diego Yacht Club. While in San Diego Bob became a horse racing enthusiast and frequented the races at Del Mar Horse Track. Later, he returned to Tulsa to help his dad care for his mom when she became ill. After returning to Tulsa, he worked at Deloitte and Touche and Enterprise Holdings Remarketing.

Bob was an avid and extremely competitive golfer and bowler and an avid OSU Football fan. He enjoyed sharing these activities with friends and family. Bob started a bowling team during his time at Skelly/Getty and bowled until his later years – and is said to have bowled three 300 games. He played golf throughout his life at many courses, including courses in Alaska, San Diego and Oklahoma and was a member of the Broken Arrow Golf and Athletic Club. Bob also loved competing in golf tournaments and led his team to the 2014 Karsten Creek Roundup Championship. Bob shared his love of golfing and bowling with his stepson, Mike, and his love of horse racing with all his stepchildren who often accompanied him and Cathy at the track for the big races. He always enjoyed spending time with family and friends and talking about San Diego, where he returned to twice for vacations with Cathy. He had a humble and generous spirit towards all that knew him coupled with a great sense of humor to the very end. Bob was a devoted husband, and he was Cathy’s “person” and best friend.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Mary Frances McBride. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Cathryn Ann (Booze) Whitaker; stepdaughter and her husband, Linda and Charles Hurley of Broken Arrow, stepson, Greg Vincent of Tulsa; and stepchildren from his first marriage, Michele “Micki” Snyder of Tulsa, Melissa Johnson of Tulsa and Michael Moody and his wife, Michelle of Tulsa; 12 grandkids and 6 great grandkids; brothers-in law and sisters-in-law, Jon and Sharon Booze of Hinton, Deniece and Eddy Ditzler of Edmond, Eddy’s sister Kaye Ditzler of Henryetta and Michael Booze of Oklahoma City and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at the Memorial Park Cemetery Chapel.

Ninde Funeral & Cremation | (918) 742-5556 | ninde.com