Giving
Dr. Whitaker, born May 12th, 1915, obtained an undergraduate degree from Allegheny College and attended medical school at the University of Pennsylvania. After interning for one year at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh, he went into the military during World War II. Whitaker served under General Patton. When he returned, he finished his residency at Northwestern University under Dr. George Shambaugh, who is considered the father of modern ear, nose and throat medicine. Dr. Whitaker moved to Parkersburg in 1950 to spearhead the polio prevention vaccination program for the Parkersburg Academy of Medicine. Working in the area from 1950 until his retirement in 1997, Dr. Whitaker served as President of the Medical Society and at different times acted as President of the staffs of both Camden Clark Memorial Hospital and St. Joseph's Hospital. Dr. Whitaker took an active interest in his patients. While it sometimes resulted in a longer waiting time, he inquired about patients' families and lives.
Active at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, Dr. Whitaker was a member of various boards. In addition, Dr. Whitaker was active at Epworth Heights, a Methodist church camp converted to a resort with 212 cottages, and served on the Board of Trustees there for six years. Dr. Whitaker also enjoyed reading and various outdoor activities and earned a Silver Beaver award from the Boy Scouts. Dr. Whitaker passed away in 1999.
Minard was born in Clarksburg in 1942 and graduated from Notre Dame High School. He went to West Virginia University in 1958 and served as manager of the basketball team when Jerry West was a member. He obtained his degree in physical therapy from the University of Pennsylvania. He moved to Parkersburg after he got his degree, working first for the Red Cross and then for Camden Clark Memorial Hospital.
He married in 1971 and had two children. Minard was an avid golfer. In addition, he was active in volunteer health care for those in rural areas and those who did not have the funds to afford physical therapy. Tony Minard's brother, Joseph Minard, says, "He was a great humanitarian…Parkersburg lost a pretty great man when they lost him." After his retirement, Minard opened a restaurant called Rosa's Spaghetti House that was closed following his death. Minard passed away in 1997.