Dr. Yenwith Whitney, 86, of Sarasota, Florida, died on April 12, 2011 after a long illness.
In 1943 he became a member of the 301st fighter squadron. He served as a fighter pilot in Europe during WWII as a member of the elite Tuskegee Airmen. After the war, he graduated from MIT on the GI Bill and worked for a time in aeronautical engineering.
He later joined the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church and began a life of service to the church. He served in Cameroon, West Africa as a teacher of math and physics for ten years. Upon returning to the USA, he became a lay church executive for the Presbyterian Church.
He earned a doctorate in education from Columbia University and briefly served as principal of the Boggs Academy of Keysville, Ga. He continued his church service as liaison with Africa and later as associate for Southern Africa. He retired in 1992 and he and his wife moved to Sarasota, Fla. in 1998.
He was a member of the Boule. He worked with MIT and its alumni association in their recruitment efforts. He also worked with the Tuskegee Airmen Association giving talks to many groups about his wartime experiences.
He is survived by his daughters, Dr. Saundra Curry and Karen Whitney; stepson, Earl Tucker; son-in-law, Donald Curry; grandson, Peter Curry; sister, Ada (Alvin) Robinson of Chattanooga; many nieces and nephews.
Services were held on April 18, in Sarasota, Fla.
Announced by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, 622-9995.