A former Glenvile man and his wife burned to death when their house went up in flames in Wheeling on February 9.
Investigators removed the remains of Dr. Charles Robert Whiting, 86, and his wife Jean Hollandsworth Whiting, 80, with the West Virginia State Fire Marshal's Office saying the fire was "probably accidental."
One of them called 911 to report the fire, they said.
Assistant Fire Marshal Brad Hartley said there is no evidence that would indicate the fire was anything other than accidental.
Whiting, whose roots were in Gilmer County, and his wife were married for 55 years.
Prior to embarking on his education, he served his country during WWII as a Pilot in the Naval Air Corps from 1943 to 1945. He received his B.A. and M.A. from West Virginia University in 1948 and 1952 and then went on to achieve his Doctorate from Columbia University in 1958. On the way to his Doctorate, he attended the University of Glasgow, Scotland, on a Rotary International Scholarship.
Bob was the Academic Dean at West Liberty State College (now West Liberty University) from 1962 until the mid-1980's and retired from there in 1987.
Prior to his arrival at West Liberty, he taught at Walton High School in Roane County, WV, 1951-53; West Virginia Institute of Technology, 1955-1957; College of Guam, 1958-60, and Pennsylvania State University, 1960-61.
He was very active in educational advancement and development in the area and served on the Ohio County Board of Education for many years in the 1960's and 1970's, having also served a term as President of the Board.
Among his many accomplishments are included, serving as the Director, National Trail Council, Boy Scouts of America; serving with and/or a member of the National Education Association; West Virginia Education Association; Association of Higher Education; American Association of University Professors; American Personnel and Guidance Association; American College Personnel Association; Masons; Shriners, and Wheeling Elks Lodge No. 28. During his academic career he also authored a number of articles in professional journals.
Bob was a standout athlete in high school and early adult years, excelling at basketball and track and at one point playing semi-pro basketball and being a member of a team that played against the Harlem Globetrotters.
He was also an avid golfer, fly fisherman, and loved to travel the world with his wife, Jean.
There was a Celebration of Bob and Jean's Life for family and friends in Wheeling.
They are both survived by a son, Charles Robert, II, and his wife, Lori, of Wheeling, WV; a daughter, Lisa E. Marple and her husband, Randy, of Shadyside, Ohio; 4 grandchildren and a great grandchild, a sister-in-law, Joann McKee Hollandsworth, and nieces and nephews.
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