Robert Kennen Whitesides passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 27th, 2024. Born in Rupert, ID in August of 1943 to Kennen and Clarice Whitesides, his life was colored by many adventures and achievements. 

Proudest among his early life were his Harvard Diploma (Class of ‘65, Harvard Business), crewing the winning boat in the inaugural Kennedy Cup (1965), military service during the Vietnam War (United States Navy, 2 Tours), his Masters in Business from Golden Gate University, open ocean Sailing races and employment with Crowley Maritime. Later in life he engaged deeply in his community and was proud of his work with the Kalamazoo River Watershed Council, the Pipeline Safety Trust and the Michigan Democratic Party. His family will remember him for many things both large and small. Most clearly we will think of his openness and joy when sharing his love of history, bees, wine, the trials of gardening, a good smoked pork butt, and critical analysis of the American experience. Principled to the end, he hoped for a better future for all.

Robert is survived by; his wife and partner of 18 years, Martha Cochrane; his Children, Son, James Whitesides (wife Hannah Reed) of Leavenworth, WA; Daughter, Julia Whitesides of Bisbee, AZ, and Granddaughter Sydney Marshall; and his extended family spread throughout the US and world.

In his passing he joins his first wife Susan, brothers Vance and James, Parents, and friends in our memory.