Arthur Luther Whitaker

Rev. Dr. Arthur Luther Whitaker (July 23,1921-October 16, 2007) was an American minister, professor, psychologist, writer and WWII Army veteran.

A Baptist minister, Whitaker was the first African-American to graduate from the " [http://www.hds.harvard.edu/ Harvard Divinity School] "in (1952), as well as the first African-American to be appointed as an executive minister within the " [http://www.abc-usa.org/ American Baptist Churches of America] ", a position he held from (1978-1983).

Early Life and Military Service

Born and raised in Massachusetts, Whitaker was a National Honor Society graduate at Malden High School, where he also participated in marching band, student government and various sports including track and field, where he held the record for the 100m dash for over 50 years.

After his graduation, Whitaker was drafted into the United States Army on (March 5, 1943). In the Army he was the band leader and first trumpet for the 9th Calvary Army band. After serving for three years he was honorably discharged as a technical sergeant (January 12, 1946). He received four battle stars for tours in Tunisia, Naples, Foggia, Rhineland and Central Europe under General Patton. Along with these he was also awarded with the Good Conduct Medal, the Victory Medal and the European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon.

Ministry and Beyond

Upon returning to the United States, Reverend Whitaker married Virgina A. Carter in 1948, and together they had four sons, Ronald, Paul, Mark and Keith.

After graduating from Harvard Divinity School where he earned his S.T.D. (Doctorate in Sacred Theology), he went on to get his S.T.M. (Masters in Sacred Theology) from " [http://www.ants.edu/calendar/event/majority-speaks-08/ Andover Newton Theological and Missions College] " (1954).

Following college, Whitaker moved his family to Rochester, NY where he served as a minister at the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, and taught sociology at the University of Rochester. During the Reverend's time here while the nation was immersed in the Civil Rights Movement he wrote the book "Anatomy of a Riot" documenting the Rochester 1964 race riot which was put into the National Congregational Record soon after it was written.

For a short time after, the Reverend and his family moved to St. Paul, MN where he was the minister at the Pilgrim Baptist Church founded escaped by slaves in 1863.

When this tour was over he moved his family back to Boston, MA. Here he started work for the " [http://www.tabcom.org/ American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts] " as an associate minister stationed at the Tremont Temple. In 1973 he received his doctorate degree from Andover Newton Theological and Missions College in Ministry and became certified as a licensed psychologist in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The " [http://www.abc-nys.org/ American Baptist Churches of New York] " called Whitaker back in 1978 to serve as the executive minister, which he did until 1983. In 1984 the Reverend moved to Randolph, MA permanently where he began teaching and counseling at Harvard Divinity School. Retiring in 2001, at 80 years of age, he continued his psychology practice and served as an interim minister at various churches in the greater Boston area.

Throughout his lifetime as a minister and teacher he published many articles in magazines and newspapers and volunteered up and down the East coast in hospitals and churches for ministry and counseling until his death in 2007.

References

* [http://www.wickedlocal.com/randolph/news/lifestyle/religion/x96462457 Randolph Herald - Obituary]
* [http://www.hds.harvard.edu/alumni/events/LJR/LJRrecentevent.html Harvard Divinity School – Alumni/ae Relations]
* [http://www.weirfuneralhome.com/Archived%20Obits/Whitaker_Arthur.htm Biography at Weir Mac Cuish Family Funeral Home]

External links

* [http://www.abc-usa.org/ American Baptist Churches of America]
* [http://www.tabcom.org/ American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts]
* [http://www.abc-nys.org/ American Baptist Churches of New York]
* [http://www.ants.edu/calendar/event/majority-speaks-08/ Andover Newton Theological and Missions College]
* [http://www.hds.harvard.edu/ Harvard Divinity School]