Paul Whitman

Paul  Whitman, 85, of Minot, North Dakota, died peacefully at St. Aloisius Hospital in Harvey, ND on April 5, 2019, following an extended illness. Paul was being lovingly cared for by family and caring hospital staff.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, April 11, at McCabe United Methodist Church, 1030 N 6^th St., Bismarck, with Rev. Mark Ehrmantraut and Rev. Jennifer McDonald officiating.

Burial will be at Bethany Cemetery, Robinson.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.

Paul Oren Whitman was born on August 12, 1933 to Marion (Russ) and Frank R. Whitman, at home on the Whitman Ranch near Robinson, the youngest of six brothers. Paul grew to be a part of the busy activity  there. He attended school in Robinson and graduated from high school there with the highest grade average ever achieved in Kidder County to that date.

Paul helped on the farm for a year or two, then attended UND for a few semesters. He joined the U. S. Air Force and served most of his service years in Great Britain. One of the main things that he acquired from that time, other than experience, was a Volkswagen Beetle, which he brought home to North Dakota. That was a rarity here, since they had not long been on the market.

He resumed his studies at UND where he took some flight training to tie into what he had learned from growing up amongst brothers who were pilots. He received his degree eventually in another field. After graduation, he held jobs out of state for a few years. He returned to North Dakota where he became an officer in the North Dakota Truck Regulatory, stationed first in Fargo, then Washburn, and finally Minot. This became home to Paul and after serving for a total of more than twenty-seven years in Truck Reg, he retired and continued to live and enjoy life in Minot.

From early childhood Paul valued his faith in Christ. While living in Minot he became a member of Vincent United Methodist Church where he found fellowship and spiritual encouragement.  Paul had a special gift for getting acquainted with those he met, remembering names and details about lives. He was greatly comforted by the expressions of concern and affection for him during his recent illness.

Although Paul never married, he was very interactive with his many nieces and nephews and their parents. This was his family, and they reciprocated with love and care. In his retirement years, a cousin and longtime resident of Minot, Arthur Ekblad, was a faithful friend, and often a  dinner companion. This enriched Paul’s life and enabled him to live independently almost to the end of his life. Paul’s family has been so very grateful to Art for his care and attention.

Paul is survived by his brother and sister in-law, Ward  and Edith Whitman; several cousins and his many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Glen, Allen, Harold and Frank.