Robert C. Whitlatch, longtime professor of theatre at Knox College, died April 11, 2015, at home in Galesburg, Illinois. He was 79. He was born in Detroit, MI, on June 8, 1935, the son of Robert H. and Ethel C. Whitlatch of Birmingham, MI.

He is survived by his wife, Jo (Finch) Whitlatch; a daughter Lisa (David) Hodierne of Charleston, SC; a son Rob (Chris Clark) Whitlatch of Mapleton, IL; a son Adam (Sara Fink) Whitlatch of Madison, WI; a son Andrew (Rachel Kueker) Whitlatch of Galesburg, IL; and three granddaughters, Catherine and Sarah Hodierne of Charleston, SC; and Jaycee Whitlatch of Mapleton, IL.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Joan (Cochran) Whitlatch, whom he married in 1958; and a grandson Robert Reid Whitlatch.

Bob attended Cranbrook Preparatory School in Birmingham, MI, 6th-12th Forms; graduated with honors from Denison University (BA) in 1957; and the University of Illinois (MA and PhD) in 1958 and 1962.

After teaching in the Theatre Department at Illinois State University from 1962-1966, Whitlatch joined the faculty of Knox College Theatre Department in 1966, where he was a teacher, director, department chair, and member of numerous committees for 42 years. He also served as Grand Marshal, the faculty member who leads the procession at Commencement and other formal College events.

"Doc Bob," as he was affectionately known on the Knox campus, was the first Knox faculty member named to the Robert M. and Katherine A. Seeley Distinguished Service Professorship. He was awarded Knox's highest honor for teaching, the Phillip Green Wright/Lombard College Prize for Distinguished Teaching, in 1987 and again in 1996, and received the Caterpillar Faculty Achievement Award in 2008.

Whitlatch worked as co-director with student Edward DeBoo of a mainstage production of the student's translation-adaptation of the Roman comedy Menaechmi. Whitlatch acted with students in several shows, including Long Days Journey into Night, Equus, Grapes of Wrath, and Two Shakespearean Actors, in which he co-starred with colleague Ivan Davidson.

"I always thought of myself as a craftsperson in the service of Dionysus," Whitlatch said in a talk he gave when he retired in 2008.

Whitlatch helped create in 1970 the Knox Repertory Theatre Term, a unique and intense undergraduate curriculum. He also was on the first planning group to establish Freshman Preceptorial, a year-long course for first-year students, in which he often led discussions or gave presentations.

A true lifelong learner, he frequently audited other professors' classes, including philosophy, computer science, and Greek. At Knox, he attended all theatre productions, whether directed by his department colleagues or students; all vocal, dance, and musical recitals; and as many lectures and presentations by other departmental faculty members and students as possible. In retirement, Bob re-read all of of the works of French author Marcel Proust, and most of the plays and poetry of Shakespeare. He continued reading, researching, and writing on his favorite topic: the links between acting, psychology, and the philosophy of mind and consciousness.

Cremation will be accorded. A memorial service will be held at a future time. Memorials can be made to the Knox College Theatre Department or to the Knox County Humane Society. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.

Above, Robert Whitlatch directing in Harbach Theatre, and at a campus reception. More photos from his career are in an album at the Knox College Flickr site.