Whitt, Douglas Eugene

Douglas Eugene Whitt, 76, formerly of Laporte, Colo., passed away on July 7th, 2016 in Radford, Va. Doug was born in Radford, the son of the late James Whitt and Pearl Whitt.

Doug retired from Colorado State University after 25 years as Lab manager of the Ag Engineering Dept., where he earned the honor of being awarded the first patent assigned to a state classified employee in the 100 years of the school’s existence for a Soil Moisture Probe Extraction Device he designed.

Doug was very talented, and after serving in the Coast Guard as a young man, completed an apprenticeship program at NASA where he met the original astronauts. He later became a programmer at Rocky Flats in Colo., and a manufacturing engineer at both WaterPic and AMPEX in Colo. Known as “Dr. Doug” in his neighborhood, he could figure out and come up with a solution to any problem. He also designed and built a custom log home where he and his family resided from 1977-2016. Doug was a life-long outdoor enthusiast, enjoying camping, hiking, fishing, as well as mountain biking which he took up at the age of 53 and enjoyed for the rest of his life.

Doug is survived by his beloved wife Emma of 55 years; children Steven Whitt and Laurette Beatrice; grandchildren Megan Whitt, Meredith Beatrice, Daniel Beatrice and Matthew Beatrice; brother Carl Whitt and wife Mildred; niece Melanie Park, husband Dave and their son Donovan; nephew Keith Whitt and wife Kelly.

Doug’s family would like to give a special note of thanks to Dr. Harry E. McCoy and his staff with Blue Ridge Cancer Center for their compassionate and wonderful care.

Memorial services will be held at 11 am on Saturday, July 23, 2016 at Unity Christian Church in Radford with Rev. Wendy Wilson officiating. The family will receive friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Carilion Hospice Services NRV, 701 Randolph St., Suite 110, Radford, VA 24141; or Unity Christian Church, 400 Tyler Ave., Radford, VA 24141.

The Whitt family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford.
www.mullinsfuneralhome.com