Arnold E. Whittaker was born in Lyman to Floyd and Maida (Cornelison) Whittaker on May 8, 1939. He was raised on the family ranch and attended school in Mountain View. In 1957, he graduated from high school in Evanston. During his high school years, Arnold enjoyed local success singing and playing guitar with his friends. He attended college at the University of Wyoming and was a member of the ROTC before marrying Linda A. Wall of Robertson. In 1963, they moved to Nevada, where they raised a daughter, Leslie, and son, Eliot.
Arnold worked for the Nevada State Highway Department (NDOT) in the materials and testing division. He also worked for Stone and Webster on the Valmy Power Plant 2 Stack and for Chilton Engineering on the South Fork Dam Project.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Linda; his two brothers, Bern and Keith; and his parents. He is survived by his sister, Betty (Darrel) Whitsel; son, Eliot; daughter, Leslie (Greg) Greenhaw; grandson, Curtis (Angela) Whittaker; granddaughter, Callie Greenhaw; and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.
Arnold loved the outdoors — hunting, fishing and camping with his family and close friends. He had a sharp intellect with a passion for reading and learning which he pursued his entire life. He was fascinated with geology, archaeology and history.
Arnold believed that he had lived a truly wonderful life.
He requested that there be no service.
