--Chicago Tribune, April 25, 2000
Baron Whitaker, 86, an electrical engineer with Underwriters Laboratory who helped establish national safety standards on electrical appliances, wiring and other products, died Thursday, April 20, in Manor Care Nursing Home in Pinehurst, N.C., of complications related to a stroke.
He was president of the Northbrook-based laboratory from 1964 to 1978, a critical period in the 105-year-old institution's history during which U.L. broadened its American focus to include new electrical products worldwide. Mr. Whitaker lived in Deerfield before moving to Sanford, N.C., in 1982.
He was soft-spoken professional who impressed his staff as much with his personable manner as with his engineering expertise.
"He was quite an impressive gentleman and had quite a personality," said John Drengenberg, an electrical engineer and manager of global consumer affairs for U.L. "During his presidency, the world changed and society changed, and he basically formulated the groundwork that enabled us to serve manufacturers on a global basis."
Mr Whitaker was born in Durham, NC, and graduated from North Carolina State University in the early 1930s with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering.
He joined U.L. in 1936, testing electrical products and notably performing early tests on electrical leakage current--the stray, tingling current common to electrical fences and defective appliances.
But he showed an aptitude for administration as well as technical skill and served in several leadership roles at the lab, including chief electrical engineer, before being named president of the laboratory's board of trustees at the age of 50. He served in that role until his retirement a dozen years later.
He was active with the American National Standards Institute, which establishes minimum safety standards in the United States, and served on its board of directors and internal committees.
He also sat on the board of the National Fire Protection Association and was active in the development of the National Electric Code, chairing the NEC committee from 1961 to 1967, and serving as NEC vice chairman for the next four years.
He was appointed to the National Commission on Fire Prevention and Control in 1970 by President Richard Nixon, represented the U.S. before the international body that monitors electrical advances and served on the national board that provides laboratory accreditation.
Following his retirement, Mr. Whitaker served as a consultant for another decade.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane Strayhorn Whitaker; and three sons, Linn B., Dwight C.and Keith B.
A funeral service will be held Tuesday in Sanford.
*********************************
Son of Chester S Whitaker and Sula M Pickett Whitaker.
Married to Mary Jean Unknown around 1940.
Baron and Mary were the parents of:
Linn B Whitaker(unk-unk)
Dwight C Whitaker(unk-unk)
Keith B Whitaker(unk-unk)
Married to Mary Jane Strayhorn Garrard around 1982.
*********************************
1920 United States Federal Census
Name: Baron Whitaker
Age: 6
Birth Year: abt 1914
Birthplace: North Carolina
Home in 1920: Durham Ward 4, Durham, North Carolina
Race: White
[Black]
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Son
Marital Status: Single
Father's Name: C S Whitaker
Father's Birthplace: North Carolina
Mother's Name: Sula Whitaker
Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina
Household Members: Name Age
C S Whitaker 33
Sula Whitaker 31
Louise Whitaker 9
Baron Whitaker 6
1930 United States Federal Census
Name: Baron K Whitaker
Gender: Male
Birth Year: abt 1914
Birthplace: North Carolina
Race: White
Home in 1930: Durham, Durham, North Carolina
Map of Home: View map
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Son
Father's Name: Chester Whitaker
Father's Birthplace: North Carolina
Mother's Name: Sula M Whitaker
Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina
Household Members: Name Age
Chester Whitaker 47
Sula M Whitaker 41
Sula L Whitaker 18
Baron K Whitaker 16
James R Pickett 69
1940 United States Federal Census
Name: Homer B Whitaker
Respondent: Yes
Age: 26
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1914
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: North Carolina
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1940: Chicago, Cook, Illinois
Map of Home in 1940: View map
Street: Hermitage Avenue
House Number: 6710
Inferred Residence in 1935: Rowley, Wake, North Carolina
Residence in 1935: Rowley, Wake, North Carolina
Resident on farm in 1935: No
Sheet Number: 5A
Number of Household in Order of Visitation: 101
Occupation: Electrical Engineer
House Owned or Rented: Rented
Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented: 43
Attended School or College: No
Highest Grade Completed: College, 4th year
Hours Worked Week Prior to Census: 41
Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker in private work
Weeks Worked in 1939: 52
Income: 2000
Income Other Sources: No
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
Homer B Whitaker 26
Mary Jaen Whitaker 21 b.IN
North Carolina, Death Indexes, 1908-2004
Name: Homer Baron Whitaker
Gender: Male
Race: White
Hispanic Origin: Non-Hispanic
Marital Status: Married
Social Security Number: 360015331
Father's Last Name: Whitaker
Age: 86 Years
Date of Birth: 25 May 1913
Birth County: Durham
Residence City: Other
Residence County: Lee
Residence State: North Carolina
Residence Zip Code: 27330
Education: 4 years of college
Date of Death: 20 Apr 2000
Death City: Pinehurst
Death County: Moore
Death State: North Carolina
Autopsy: Autopsy Not Performed
Autopsy Findings: Autopsy findings were not considered in determining cause of death
institution: Nursing Home
Attendant: Physician
Burial Location: Cremation in-state
Recorded Date: 24 Apr 2000
Source Vendor: North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics
Baron Whitaker, 86, an electrical engineer with Underwriters Laboratory who helped establish national safety standards on electrical appliances, wiring and other products, died Thursday, April 20, in Manor Care Nursing Home in Pinehurst, N.C., of complications related to a stroke.
He was president of the Northbrook-based laboratory from 1964 to 1978, a critical period in the 105-year-old institution's history during which U.L. broadened its American focus to include new electrical products worldwide. Mr. Whitaker lived in Deerfield before moving to Sanford, N.C., in 1982.
He was soft-spoken professional who impressed his staff as much with his personable manner as with his engineering expertise.
"He was quite an impressive gentleman and had quite a personality," said John Drengenberg, an electrical engineer and manager of global consumer affairs for U.L. "During his presidency, the world changed and society changed, and he basically formulated the groundwork that enabled us to serve manufacturers on a global basis."
Mr Whitaker was born in Durham, NC, and graduated from North Carolina State University in the early 1930s with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering.
He joined U.L. in 1936, testing electrical products and notably performing early tests on electrical leakage current--the stray, tingling current common to electrical fences and defective appliances.
But he showed an aptitude for administration as well as technical skill and served in several leadership roles at the lab, including chief electrical engineer, before being named president of the laboratory's board of trustees at the age of 50. He served in that role until his retirement a dozen years later.
He was active with the American National Standards Institute, which establishes minimum safety standards in the United States, and served on its board of directors and internal committees.
He also sat on the board of the National Fire Protection Association and was active in the development of the National Electric Code, chairing the NEC committee from 1961 to 1967, and serving as NEC vice chairman for the next four years.
He was appointed to the National Commission on Fire Prevention and Control in 1970 by President Richard Nixon, represented the U.S. before the international body that monitors electrical advances and served on the national board that provides laboratory accreditation.
Following his retirement, Mr. Whitaker served as a consultant for another decade.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane Strayhorn Whitaker; and three sons, Linn B., Dwight C.and Keith B.
A funeral service will be held Tuesday in Sanford.
*********************************
Son of Chester S Whitaker and Sula M Pickett Whitaker.
Married to Mary Jean Unknown around 1940.
Baron and Mary were the parents of:
Linn B Whitaker(unk-unk)
Dwight C Whitaker(unk-unk)
Keith B Whitaker(unk-unk)
Married to Mary Jane Strayhorn Garrard around 1982.
*********************************
1920 United States Federal Census
Name: Baron Whitaker
Age: 6
Birth Year: abt 1914
Birthplace: North Carolina
Home in 1920: Durham Ward 4, Durham, North Carolina
Race: White
[Black]
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Son
Marital Status: Single
Father's Name: C S Whitaker
Father's Birthplace: North Carolina
Mother's Name: Sula Whitaker
Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina
Household Members: Name Age
C S Whitaker 33
Sula Whitaker 31
Louise Whitaker 9
Baron Whitaker 6
1930 United States Federal Census
Name: Baron K Whitaker
Gender: Male
Birth Year: abt 1914
Birthplace: North Carolina
Race: White
Home in 1930: Durham, Durham, North Carolina
Map of Home: View map
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Son
Father's Name: Chester Whitaker
Father's Birthplace: North Carolina
Mother's Name: Sula M Whitaker
Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina
Household Members: Name Age
Chester Whitaker 47
Sula M Whitaker 41
Sula L Whitaker 18
Baron K Whitaker 16
James R Pickett 69
1940 United States Federal Census
Name: Homer B Whitaker
Respondent: Yes
Age: 26
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1914
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: North Carolina
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1940: Chicago, Cook, Illinois
Map of Home in 1940: View map
Street: Hermitage Avenue
House Number: 6710
Inferred Residence in 1935: Rowley, Wake, North Carolina
Residence in 1935: Rowley, Wake, North Carolina
Resident on farm in 1935: No
Sheet Number: 5A
Number of Household in Order of Visitation: 101
Occupation: Electrical Engineer
House Owned or Rented: Rented
Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented: 43
Attended School or College: No
Highest Grade Completed: College, 4th year
Hours Worked Week Prior to Census: 41
Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker in private work
Weeks Worked in 1939: 52
Income: 2000
Income Other Sources: No
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
Homer B Whitaker 26
Mary Jaen Whitaker 21 b.IN
North Carolina, Death Indexes, 1908-2004
Name: Homer Baron Whitaker
Gender: Male
Race: White
Hispanic Origin: Non-Hispanic
Marital Status: Married
Social Security Number: 360015331
Father's Last Name: Whitaker
Age: 86 Years
Date of Birth: 25 May 1913
Birth County: Durham
Residence City: Other
Residence County: Lee
Residence State: North Carolina
Residence Zip Code: 27330
Education: 4 years of college
Date of Death: 20 Apr 2000
Death City: Pinehurst
Death County: Moore
Death State: North Carolina
Autopsy: Autopsy Not Performed
Autopsy Findings: Autopsy findings were not considered in determining cause of death
institution: Nursing Home
Attendant: Physician
Burial Location: Cremation in-state
Recorded Date: 24 Apr 2000
Source Vendor: North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics
--Chicago Tribune, April 25, 2000
Baron Whitaker, 86, an electrical engineer with Underwriters Laboratory who helped establish national safety standards on electrical appliances, wiring and other products, died Thursday, April 20, in Manor Care Nursing Home in Pinehurst, N.C., of complications related to a stroke.
He was president of the Northbrook-based laboratory from 1964 to 1978, a critical period in the 105-year-old institution's history during which U.L. broadened its American focus to include new electrical products worldwide. Mr. Whitaker lived in Deerfield before moving to Sanford, N.C., in 1982.
He was soft-spoken professional who impressed his staff as much with his personable manner as with his engineering expertise.
"He was quite an impressive gentleman and had quite a personality," said John Drengenberg, an electrical engineer and manager of global consumer affairs for U.L. "During his presidency, the world changed and society changed, and he basically formulated the groundwork that enabled us to serve manufacturers on a global basis."
Mr Whitaker was born in Durham, NC, and graduated from North Carolina State University in the early 1930s with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering.
He joined U.L. in 1936, testing electrical products and notably performing early tests on electrical leakage current--the stray, tingling current common to electrical fences and defective appliances.
But he showed an aptitude for administration as well as technical skill and served in several leadership roles at the lab, including chief electrical engineer, before being named president of the laboratory's board of trustees at the age of 50. He served in that role until his retirement a dozen years later.
He was active with the American National Standards Institute, which establishes minimum safety standards in the United States, and served on its board of directors and internal committees.
He also sat on the board of the National Fire Protection Association and was active in the development of the National Electric Code, chairing the NEC committee from 1961 to 1967, and serving as NEC vice chairman for the next four years.
He was appointed to the National Commission on Fire Prevention and Control in 1970 by President Richard Nixon, represented the U.S. before the international body that monitors electrical advances and served on the national board that provides laboratory accreditation.
Following his retirement, Mr. Whitaker served as a consultant for another decade.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane Strayhorn Whitaker; and three sons, Linn B., Dwight C.and Keith B.
A funeral service will be held Tuesday in Sanford.
*********************************
Son of Chester S Whitaker and Sula M Pickett Whitaker.
Married to Mary Jean Unknown around 1940.
Baron and Mary were the parents of:
Linn B Whitaker(unk-unk)
Dwight C Whitaker(unk-unk)
Keith B Whitaker(unk-unk)
Married to Mary Jane Strayhorn Garrard around 1982.
*********************************
1920 United States Federal Census
Name: Baron Whitaker
Age: 6
Birth Year: abt 1914
Birthplace: North Carolina
Home in 1920: Durham Ward 4, Durham, North Carolina
Race: White
[Black]
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Son
Marital Status: Single
Father's Name: C S Whitaker
Father's Birthplace: North Carolina
Mother's Name: Sula Whitaker
Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina
Household Members: Name Age
C S Whitaker 33
Sula Whitaker 31
Louise Whitaker 9
Baron Whitaker 6
1930 United States Federal Census
Name: Baron K Whitaker
Gender: Male
Birth Year: abt 1914
Birthplace: North Carolina
Race: White
Home in 1930: Durham, Durham, North Carolina
Map of Home: View map
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Son
Father's Name: Chester Whitaker
Father's Birthplace: North Carolina
Mother's Name: Sula M Whitaker
Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina
Household Members: Name Age
Chester Whitaker 47
Sula M Whitaker 41
Sula L Whitaker 18
Baron K Whitaker 16
James R Pickett 69
1940 United States Federal Census
Name: Homer B Whitaker
Respondent: Yes
Age: 26
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1914
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: North Carolina
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1940: Chicago, Cook, Illinois
Map of Home in 1940: View map
Street: Hermitage Avenue
House Number: 6710
Inferred Residence in 1935: Rowley, Wake, North Carolina
Residence in 1935: Rowley, Wake, North Carolina
Resident on farm in 1935: No
Sheet Number: 5A
Number of Household in Order of Visitation: 101
Occupation: Electrical Engineer
House Owned or Rented: Rented
Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented: 43
Attended School or College: No
Highest Grade Completed: College, 4th year
Hours Worked Week Prior to Census: 41
Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker in private work
Weeks Worked in 1939: 52
Income: 2000
Income Other Sources: No
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
Homer B Whitaker 26
Mary Jaen Whitaker 21 b.IN
North Carolina, Death Indexes, 1908-2004
Name: Homer Baron Whitaker
Gender: Male
Race: White
Hispanic Origin: Non-Hispanic
Marital Status: Married
Social Security Number: 360015331
Father's Last Name: Whitaker
Age: 86 Years
Date of Birth: 25 May 1913
Birth County: Durham
Residence City: Other
Residence County: Lee
Residence State: North Carolina
Residence Zip Code: 27330
Education: 4 years of college
Date of Death: 20 Apr 2000
Death City: Pinehurst
Death County: Moore
Death State: North Carolina
Autopsy: Autopsy Not Performed
Autopsy Findings: Autopsy findings were not considered in determining cause of death
institution: Nursing Home
Attendant: Physician
Burial Location: Cremation in-state
Recorded Date: 24 Apr 2000
Source Vendor: North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics
Baron Whitaker, 86, an electrical engineer with Underwriters Laboratory who helped establish national safety standards on electrical appliances, wiring and other products, died Thursday, April 20, in Manor Care Nursing Home in Pinehurst, N.C., of complications related to a stroke.
He was president of the Northbrook-based laboratory from 1964 to 1978, a critical period in the 105-year-old institution's history during which U.L. broadened its American focus to include new electrical products worldwide. Mr. Whitaker lived in Deerfield before moving to Sanford, N.C., in 1982.
He was soft-spoken professional who impressed his staff as much with his personable manner as with his engineering expertise.
"He was quite an impressive gentleman and had quite a personality," said John Drengenberg, an electrical engineer and manager of global consumer affairs for U.L. "During his presidency, the world changed and society changed, and he basically formulated the groundwork that enabled us to serve manufacturers on a global basis."
Mr Whitaker was born in Durham, NC, and graduated from North Carolina State University in the early 1930s with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering.
He joined U.L. in 1936, testing electrical products and notably performing early tests on electrical leakage current--the stray, tingling current common to electrical fences and defective appliances.
But he showed an aptitude for administration as well as technical skill and served in several leadership roles at the lab, including chief electrical engineer, before being named president of the laboratory's board of trustees at the age of 50. He served in that role until his retirement a dozen years later.
He was active with the American National Standards Institute, which establishes minimum safety standards in the United States, and served on its board of directors and internal committees.
He also sat on the board of the National Fire Protection Association and was active in the development of the National Electric Code, chairing the NEC committee from 1961 to 1967, and serving as NEC vice chairman for the next four years.
He was appointed to the National Commission on Fire Prevention and Control in 1970 by President Richard Nixon, represented the U.S. before the international body that monitors electrical advances and served on the national board that provides laboratory accreditation.
Following his retirement, Mr. Whitaker served as a consultant for another decade.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane Strayhorn Whitaker; and three sons, Linn B., Dwight C.and Keith B.
A funeral service will be held Tuesday in Sanford.
*********************************
Son of Chester S Whitaker and Sula M Pickett Whitaker.
Married to Mary Jean Unknown around 1940.
Baron and Mary were the parents of:
Linn B Whitaker(unk-unk)
Dwight C Whitaker(unk-unk)
Keith B Whitaker(unk-unk)
Married to Mary Jane Strayhorn Garrard around 1982.
*********************************
1920 United States Federal Census
Name: Baron Whitaker
Age: 6
Birth Year: abt 1914
Birthplace: North Carolina
Home in 1920: Durham Ward 4, Durham, North Carolina
Race: White
[Black]
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Son
Marital Status: Single
Father's Name: C S Whitaker
Father's Birthplace: North Carolina
Mother's Name: Sula Whitaker
Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina
Household Members: Name Age
C S Whitaker 33
Sula Whitaker 31
Louise Whitaker 9
Baron Whitaker 6
1930 United States Federal Census
Name: Baron K Whitaker
Gender: Male
Birth Year: abt 1914
Birthplace: North Carolina
Race: White
Home in 1930: Durham, Durham, North Carolina
Map of Home: View map
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head of House: Son
Father's Name: Chester Whitaker
Father's Birthplace: North Carolina
Mother's Name: Sula M Whitaker
Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina
Household Members: Name Age
Chester Whitaker 47
Sula M Whitaker 41
Sula L Whitaker 18
Baron K Whitaker 16
James R Pickett 69
1940 United States Federal Census
Name: Homer B Whitaker
Respondent: Yes
Age: 26
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1914
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: North Carolina
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1940: Chicago, Cook, Illinois
Map of Home in 1940: View map
Street: Hermitage Avenue
House Number: 6710
Inferred Residence in 1935: Rowley, Wake, North Carolina
Residence in 1935: Rowley, Wake, North Carolina
Resident on farm in 1935: No
Sheet Number: 5A
Number of Household in Order of Visitation: 101
Occupation: Electrical Engineer
House Owned or Rented: Rented
Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented: 43
Attended School or College: No
Highest Grade Completed: College, 4th year
Hours Worked Week Prior to Census: 41
Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker in private work
Weeks Worked in 1939: 52
Income: 2000
Income Other Sources: No
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
Homer B Whitaker 26
Mary Jaen Whitaker 21 b.IN
North Carolina, Death Indexes, 1908-2004
Name: Homer Baron Whitaker
Gender: Male
Race: White
Hispanic Origin: Non-Hispanic
Marital Status: Married
Social Security Number: 360015331
Father's Last Name: Whitaker
Age: 86 Years
Date of Birth: 25 May 1913
Birth County: Durham
Residence City: Other
Residence County: Lee
Residence State: North Carolina
Residence Zip Code: 27330
Education: 4 years of college
Date of Death: 20 Apr 2000
Death City: Pinehurst
Death County: Moore
Death State: North Carolina
Autopsy: Autopsy Not Performed
Autopsy Findings: Autopsy findings were not considered in determining cause of death
institution: Nursing Home
Attendant: Physician
Burial Location: Cremation in-state
Recorded Date: 24 Apr 2000
Source Vendor: North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics
Family Members
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