Thoughts shared by the Rev. David Christensen - July 11, 1998
From Wednesday when the news came until this morning when Carol and I left Martha’s Vineyard, over 20 years of memories and times spent with the Whitney family, Donald and Janet, Peg and Dick and Chris and Erica and times on the Vineyard and elsewhere flashed through my head - family times. For over 20 years, our lives have been intertwined - family gatherings, births, deaths, anniversaries, celebrations, dinners, though it was hard at the Vineyard to compete with the Shanty - once Donald found a place he liked, he returned again and again. But we did get him to come and eat fresh caught seafood and dessert. There were times at Carol’s apartments, later the Edgartown Commons, times in Oak Bluffs, snorkeling at the State Beach, the flying horses, a trip down memory lane in the Park, looking at the starlight skies, surveying the damage from Hurricane Bob, political discussions and religious discussions, endless standing in front of cameras and being recorded on video, and even sharing private dance recitals of Chris and Erica at his home, at my parents’ home or our home on the Vineyard.
Donald was an interesting man, curious about life true to his convictions, and always engaged in scientific inquiry. He approached life as a scientist would - he formulated ideas, tested them out, and proved or disproved them. He had a faith of his own, was private but extremely loving and loyal to those whom he loved and who loved him - constantly expanding his knowledge. He was proud of his family, loved Janet and cared for her - loved Peg and Dick, Sue and Scott, Samantha and Rico, Chris and Erica and celebrated your differing and varied gifts. He really loved you and that love is your legacy. And God knows he worried about you and about almost everything - he worried enough for all of us.
Donald’s life was ordered and orderly and he was one of the smartest men I ever knew, though he was modest and unassuming. He was always ready to share his knowledge whether it be with a neophyte at the computer or with those at international standards meetings or even with those in the hospital. Those of us who knew him and share his love - respected him deeply. I respected him as a man and friend, who was secure enough to know himself and also let others be themselves. Donald loved music, whether it be how tunes, classical or the traditional hymns. Years ago I gave him a Pilgrim Hymnal with the hymns of his traditional Congregational youth - and I know he played some of them. But Donald was anything but a traditionalist. He was open to new ideas - technology. He was up on all the latest electronics from Ham radio to computers - to VCR - first I knew to have one and sound recording equipment for his music.
On more than one occasion, Donald challenged my thinking - and challenged me also to address more controversial subjects from the pulpit, with of course throwing in his own opinions to flavor the discussion. On many things we agreed, some we differed - but we learned from each other, respected each other, and valued each other. He was a very consistent person - what you saw is what he was, no pretense - strong, so special - he believed what he lived and he lived what he believed. Always questioning - On death he once shared his feelings expressed best in a portion of a sermon which he kept from the 1940’s entitled "Is Christ Risen." (First Paragraph of Sermon shared).
Donald Whitney knows the answers, and we live in the assurance of our faith. Amen.