Robert A. Whittington , 66 of South Padre Island, Texas, passed away on May 11, 2018. Rob was born in Houston, Texas on July 26, 1951 to Frank and Jo Whittington. The family moved to McAllen, Texas where Rob grew up and lived until he graduated from McHi. At a very young age it was evident that Rob was a very gifted and bright child. He excelled at everything he did. Band, tennis, debate, surfing, art. The list goes on. After Rob graduated from high school he attended the University of Texas and graduated with honors and was accepted into U.T. Law School where he graduated with a law degree. He moved to Brownsville, Texas and went to work for a law firm there which he stayed with until his passing. Rob later moved to South Padre Island where he spent most of his summers while in high school and developed a love for the beach and the water. He continued his law practice while commuting to Brownsville, where he worked with a wonderful group of people that supported and embraced him as his “second family”. Rob was married at a young age to Cathy Whittington (Lawless) and had many happy years together until Cathy’s passing early on in their life. Their family had a great love of the outdoors and especially water sports. Early on Rob was an avid surfer and Hobie Cat sailor who competed on a world class level and traveled the world competing in Hobie Cat events. He also loved wind surfing and scuba diving. At a later age in life Rob took up golf which became his passion and once again he excelled at the sport and played as often as he could. He loved the companionship of his golf “buddies” as much as he loved the game. Rob would want me to give a big “shout out” to all of his Hobie and golf buddies and our family gives you all a big thank you for the many years of love and support given to him. Rob had a voracious appetite for reading and always had two or three books “working” at the same time. Later in life, Rob married Rebecca Whittington (Sparks) and they continued to live and enjoy life overlooking the bay at South Padre Island. Rob will be missed terribly but always remembered as a sweet, gentle and loving son, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and fiend to all. Rob is preceded in death by Cathy and Becca, and his mother, Jo Cappel.
Rob is survived by his father and step mother, Frank and Sandy Whittington,step father, Ray Cappel, daughter, Jennifer Whittington, son, Michael Whittington, brothers Scott and Kent Whittington, step brothers Bobby and David Pippin, step children, Sara and Trev Sparks, nieces and nephews Destin, Elle and Austin Whittington, granddaughter Cathy Whittington, a special attached family of Jan Whittington and Jules and Cianna Perez, sister in law Nancy Bryant and her entire family.
A private family ceremony will be held to celebrate the life of Rob Whittington. Tributes can be made with donations to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA).