Robert Earle Whipple

Portsmouth, RI - Robert Earle Whipple, BMC, USN, ret., 76, of 27 Donna Drive, Portsmouth, formerly of Earley Street, Portsmouth, RI, died Monday, March 15, 2004 at the Rhode Island Veterans Home, Bristol, RI. He was the husband of Mabel ?Nell? Manning Whipple. They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in July of 2003. Born in Boston, MA, on February 27, 1928, he was the son of the late Claude and Effie Blue Whipple. Mr. Whipple retired in 1967 as a Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy, after serving more than 20 years. He was a veteran of the Korean War and the Vietnam War. After retiring from the Navy, he went to work for the Federal Civil Service in the maintenance department at the Naval War College, Newport, until his retirment in 1992. Mr. Whipple was a member of the Fleet Reserve Branch #19, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5390, AllVets, and the Newport Lodge of Elks. Besides his wife he is survived by two sons Michael S. Whipple of Newport, RI, and Brian K. Whipple of Tiverton, RI, his daughter Gail Whipple of Middletown, RI and two grandsons. His funeral will be held on Thursday, March 18, 2004, at 10:00AM, in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport. Burial with military honors will follow at the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter.