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Weir Mac Cuish Family Funeral Home 144 Salem Street, Malden, MA 02148 A member of the Malden Community since 1896 |
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Rev. Dr. Arthur Luther Whitaker
Rev. Dr. Arthur L. Whitaker of Randolph, formerly of Syracuse, NY, Rochester NY, St. Paul, MN, Arlington, MA, and Malden, MA, died Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at the Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton, he was 86. Born on July 23, 1921 in Malden, he was the son of the late Robert W. and Elizabeth (Hinton) Whitaker. Arthur was raised and educated in Malden and was a National Honor Society graduate of Malden High School with the Class of 1941. On March 5, 1943, Arthur was drafted into the U.S. Army to help fight for our country during World War II. He served for almost three years until he was honorably discharged as a Technical Sergeant on January 12, 1946. Arthur received four battle stars for battles fought in Tunisia, Naples, Foggia, Rhineland, and Central Europe and served under General Patton. He was awarded with the Good Conduct Medal, the Victory Medal, as well as the European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon for his numerous days served in active duty. Arthur was also the band leader and first trumpet for the 9th Calvary Army band as well. Arthur first met his future wife, Virginia A. Carter, while they were children attending the Union / Emmanuel Baptist Church in Malden. When he returned from his service in the Army, he rekindled his friendship with Virginia and in June of 1948 they were married. Arthur and Virginia shared nearly 60 years together, raising their family and creating memories. After Arthur and Virginia were married, he enrolled at Gordon College to study theology. He graduated in 1949 and earned a Bachelors of Arts degree in Theology. In 1950, Arthur began serving God at the Calvary Baptist Church in Haverhill while he attended Harvard University Divinity School. He received his certificate of ordination in January of 1951. He graduated from Harvard Divinity School in 1952 and received his S.T.B. degree. In 1954, Arthur received his S.T.M. degree from Andover Newton Theological and Missions College. Soon after, he began his Missionary work with the Home Missions Society. In 1956, Arthur and his family moved to Rochester, NY, where he was called as the Minister at the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. Arthur wrote the book Anatomy of a Riot in 1964 about the riots in Rochester during the summer of 1964. He was honored by having the book entered into the National Congregational Record soon after it was written. Arthur also taught sociology at the University of Rochester. Arthur and his family once again moved to where God had needed him, this time to St. Paul, MN to serve as the Minister at the Pilgrim Baptist Church. The Pilgrim Baptist Church was founded in 1863 by escaped slaves. After completing his service in St. Paul, Arthur moved back to the Boston area, settling Arlington. He worked for the American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts as the Associate Minister. He was stationed at the Tremont Temple located on Tremont Street in Boston. In 1973, he received his Doctorate degree from Andover Newton Theological and Missions College in Ministry. Arthur also received his certificate of registration as a licensed Psychologist in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in December of 1973. He served at the American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts until 1978, when Arthur was called back to serve in New York State as the Executive Minister of the American Baptist Churches of New York. Arthur had the honor of being the first African-American to be appointed as an Executive Minister within the American Baptist Churches of America. He served the organization until 1983. Finally, in 1986, he moved back to the Boston area to Randolph. Upon his return home, Arthur began both teaching and counseling at Harvard Divinity School. In 2001, at the age of 80, Arthur decided to retire from his teaching and counseling though he continued his psychology practice. He didn’t retire from God however, as he served as interim Minister to the Concord Baptist Church of Boston for one year, the Ebenezer Baptist Church of Boston for three years, and the First Baptist Church of Boston for two years. Arthur was named to "Who's Who in the East" and "Who's Who in America," through the 1960's to the 1980's. Through all his accomplishments, along with numerous magazine and newspaper articles he had written, Arthur always found time to visit the sick in the community and local V.A. hospitals for ministry and counseling. Arthur is survived by his wife, Virginia A. (Carter) Whitaker of Randolph, his sons, Ronald L. Whitaker of Boston, Paul L. Whitaker of Randolph, Mark L. Whitaker of Fairfax Station, VA, and Keith L. Whitaker of Randolph, as well as seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Arthur was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert W. Whitaker, Jr. and Edward E. Whitaker. Visitation will be held in the Weir-MacCuish Golden Rule Funeral Home, 144 Salem Street, Malden on Sunday, October 21, 2007 from 2 PM to 6 PM. Funeral services will be held in the Memorial Church, 1 Harvard Yard, Harvard University, Cambridge, on Monday, October 22, 2007 at 10:30 AM. Dr. Charles Adams will be officiating. Burial will be in the Cemetery at the Green, Middleboro. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Arthur's memory to the Alzheimer's Association, 311 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA 02472. |
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