Business and Sports
Mr. Whittemore has led an incredibly varied and exciting life. Now retired, he draws on over 35 years of experience within the field of programming alongside an impressive career as a long-distance runner and jumper. The former serviceman has also battled through various illnesses and has defied the odds to continue being a competitive sports enthusiast despite being in his 80s.
Mr. Whittemore was born in 1938 to Kenneth Edward and Bertha Dorkas Whittemore. As a youngster, Mr. Whittemore had his sights set on a career in the forces, particularly in the United States Air Force. Initially, he signed up to the United States Navy in 1956, serving for four years before joining the United States Air Force in 1961. Having always held a keen interest in sports, Mr. Whittemore was also to complete the Boston Marathon in the same year. A year later he married his wife, Lillian Marie Therriault, and quickly realized that he no longer wanted to be away from home for extended periods of time. He made the decision to remain close to his family and to pursue a career in programming instead.
By 1966, Mr. Whittemore was working as a computer programmer at Cross Co. in Hartford, Vermont. He was extremely successful in his role and two years later he was appointed senior programmer at Joy Manufacturing in Claremont, New Hampshire. By 1973, Mr. Whittemore had moved on again, this time to Computac, LLC in West Lebanon, New Hampshire as senior programmer. In 1979 he was appointed programming manager at Datamann, Inc. in Wilder, Vermont, where he remained until 2000.
Mr. Whittemore has always been proficient in the field of programming. He graduated magna cum laude from programming school long before many of the modern programming languages were in existence. Keen to continue developing his skills in this area, he was delighted when his employer at the time, Datamann, Inc, agreed to finance his return to school. He enlisted at Hawthorne College in Antrim, New Hampshire, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in business administration in 1984. As an esteemed technology professional, he retained membership to the Association for Information Technology Professionals, which helped him to stay abreast of the latest developments in the field.
Mr. Whittmore’s achievements in the field of programming were recognized outside of his organization too. In fact, he was featured in the 25th edition of Who’s Who in Finance and Industry, the 21st edition of Who’s Who in the East and several editions of Who’s Who in the World. A further nod to his credibility in the field came with his receipt of a fellowship from the Data Processing Management Association for his achievements in computer programming.
Whittemore’s sporting prowess is equally admirable. He has qualified for and attended every National Senior Games since 1995 and has jumped long enough to earn the coveted title of number four in the all-time history of the Senior Games. Mr. Whittemore has attained an array of accolades for his sporting performances over the years. Due to his numerous sporting achievements he has been featured in the sports section of The Eagle Times three times, most recently in 2018. He was also featured in The Valley News in 2010 and 2011.
His medal wins are plentiful. In 2008, Mr. Whittemore attained four Gold Medals at the Vermont Senior Games and in 2009, Mr. Whittemore received an Eighth Place Ribbon for the triple jump at the National Senior Games in San Francisco, California for the age group category of 75-79 years old. In 2010, he placed first in the long jump and Second Place in the 60-meter race at the Dartmouth Relays in Hanover, New Hampshire. A year later, Mr. Whittemore placed 21st in the 100-meter dash, 18th in the 200-meter dash, fourth in the long jump, and received a Bronze Medal in the triple jump at the National Senior Games in Humble, Texas. The successes continued, and in 2013 Mr. Whittemore placed fourth in the triple jump in the all-time history in his division ages 75-29 years old. In 2017, Mr. Whittemore placed second in the triple jump at the National Senior Games. In 2018, Mr. Whittemore received the First Place Gold Medal in long jump, triple jump, and the 100-meter dash in the Senior Olympic Qualifying Track at the National Senior Games in Burlington, Vermont. Most recently, Mr. Whittemore enrolled for the 2019 National Senior Games in Albuquerque, New Mexico. However, despite all of these outstanding achievements, he is most proud of receiving his master’s All-American certificates.
Mr. Whittemore has always used running as a means of keeping fit, staying in shape, and fighting off the negative aspects of ageing. Several years ago, he pledged to run every day and he now holds the record in Claremont for running the most consecutive days. This record is in fact the second longest across the state of Hampshire.
These sporting achievements would be impressive enough on their own, but they are even more admirable when you learn of Mr. Whittemore’s battles with ill health. He has struggled with asthma and heart conditions, including three four attacks and a blood transfusion. Recognizing the limitations these conditions imposed on him, but by no means allowing them to engulf him, Mr. Whittemore limited himself to short distance running, long jumps, and triple jumps. His continued successes over the years despite his illnesses has shown what hard work, positive thinking and determination can achieve, even later on in life.
Mr. Whittemore is now enjoying his well-deserved retirement but continues to retain a deep passion for sports. He remains extremely active, participating in sprinting, jumping, and bicycling wherever possible. He held the title of President of the Bridge Club until the COVID-19 Pandemic hit. To relax, he enjoys reading and playing chess in his spare time. Mr. Whittemore is happily married to his wife Lois Whittemore and has one daughter, Debbie. Undoubtedly, Mr. Whittemore has led a thrilling and rewarding life and is keen to see what further achievements await him in the coming years.