Robert "Bob" Whitehouse, regent emeritus of the University of Nebraska and a lifelong educator, died Saturday at age 77.
Whitehouse, of Papillion, represented District 4 on the Board of Regents from 2006 to 2018, twice serving as chairman.
University of Nebraska President Ted Carter, who said his heart was heavy at the news, called Whitehouse "a public servant in every sense of the word."
Carter said: "In each of his many roles — teacher, coach, principal, regent, volunteer — he approached every task with the singular goal of making a positive difference for students and our communities. Indeed, Bob was a teacher and coach to all who met him and learned from his kindness, humility and passion for service.
"Bob was a beloved husband, father and friend, and the impact he leaves on our university and state will last for generations. Lynda and I are thinking of his wife Kim, their children and all their family and friends during this sad time."
As a university regent, Whitehouse was a champion for student access and affordability and quality academic and research programs. He served during a time of enrollment and research growth, and key leadership appointments across the system.
Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, chancellor of UNMC, said Whitehouse was a strong supporter of the University of Nebraska System and many UNMC initiatives.
"Throughout his life, Regent Emeritus Whitehouse’s dedication to education was unparalleled," Dr. Gold said. "As an educator and administrator, he had a direct and positive impact on his students. When he became a regent for the University of Nebraska, his vision and passion enabled him to again positively affect students throughout the university system and the state for more than a decade through his stalwart leadership."
In 2017, Whitehouse attended the groundbreaking for the Dr. Edwin G. & Dorothy Balbach Davis Global Center, saying at the time that "the University of Nebraska is on a remarkable upward trajectory."
Whitehouse himself was a pivotal part of that trajectory, Dr. Gold said.
"As a regent, Bob Whitehouse always had an eye on the future and his heart on how to best serve the students of the University of Nebraska System," Dr. Gold said. "Bob and Kim Whitehouse have been amazing mentors and great friends. He will be missed, but he has left a legacy that will benefit Nebraska for years to come."
Whitehouse began his 47-year career with Omaha Public Schools as a teacher and coach at Omaha Central High School. He later became assistant principal and athletic director at Omaha South High School, and principal at Omaha Bryan junior and senior high schools. Whitehouse also was involved with the Collective for Youth organization, helping to develop before- and after-school as well as summertime programming for young people in the Omaha area.
Whitehouse was inducted into the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2018, having twice served as president of the organization’s Board of Directors. He had previously been inducted into the Omaha Public Schools Hall of Fame and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Hall of Fame. He was a Hall of Fame athlete at Bellevue High School and Kearney State College, now the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where he played basketball and ran track and field. Whitehouse scored 705 career points for the Loper basketball team and was an All-American long jumper for four years.
Whitehouse earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Kearney State College and went on to earn a master’s degree in secondary school administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he served as an adjunct professor. His civic involvement included the NU President’s Advisory Council, UNK Alumni Association Board and Metropolitan Community College Foundation Board.
Whitehouse and his wife, Kim, raised three children.
Regent Whitehouse was a class act – he always did what was best for the students. He was one of the best regents ever for the University of Nebraska. He will be missed by all who knew him.