Whitney Carl Klomann was born March 1st, 1948, in Evanston, Illinois, to Frederick William Klomann and Blanche Whitney Klomann. Whitney's early years were spent in Skokie, Illinois with his parents and siblings, Frederick (Fred), Gail and Lynn. Following the purchase of Arcadia Farm, the family later moved to Long Grove. Whitney attended Ela Vernon High School in Lake Zurich, where he excelled at playing sports such as basketball and baseball. Whitney had a dream of becoming a commercial airline pilot, and in preparation for this career, attended flight school at Palwaukee airport in Wheeling, Illinois. He received his pilot's license alongside his best friend, Dennis Smith, in 1965. Many treasured memories were made as he and Dennis flew small planes together.

In 1965, Whitney graduated from high school a year early and headed off with Dennis to San Mateo, California, where they trained to become commercial airline pilots. Whitney completed this goal by receiving his commercial license and instrument rating, which was quite the accomplishment at such a young age.

Unfortunately, to avoid the impending draft, Whitney enlisted in the army in 1968 for aviation. He was sent to Vietnam, where he worked on helicopters and rode as a door gunner on a Huey. Whitney's helicopter, the "Iron Butterfly", crashed in flight in 1969 due to a rotor malfunction and he was subsequently pinned underneath. A field medic skillfully saved Whitney's life but he spent the next 18 months in hospitals and rehabilitation, re-learning how to walk, talk and function. Whitney was awarded a Purple Heart for his service in Vietnam. Forever changed and medically fragile, Whitney was no longer able to pursue his dream of working as a commercial airline pilot and instead earned a bachelor's degree in psychology. This loss was felt deeply by Whitney throughout the remainder of his life.

Following his service in Vietnam, Whitney reconnected with and married childhood acquaintance Sandra (Sandy) Tillman, with the births of children Stuart, Everett and Anna following. Whitney and Sandy lived "off the grid" in the Ozarks, where Whitney built the family home and resided on 74 acres of lush Missouri land. Following his divorce with Sandy, he married Sandra Lilley McCain in 1985 and another son, Martin, was born in 1986. Whitney commuted to Springfield, Missouri, where he completed a master's degree in education. As he wrapped up his schooling, a solicitation for a school teacher posted on a bulletin board on campus caught his eye. He moved the family to the Navajo reservation in Tuba City, Arizona, in 1988. Whitney taught special education at the boarding school in Tuba City and was later promoted to Director of Special Education, where he worked tirelessly to overhaul the school's special education program; therefore, serving hundreds of Native American youths.

In 1991, Whitney moved his family to Flagstaff, Arizona. He made a daily commute of 79 miles each way to continue his work on the reservation until he retired from this position in 2003. Whitney continued his education by completing a PhD in educational administration in 2004.

Whitney's love of animals was born during his years of heavy farm work on Arcadia Farm, where he was responsible for the daily care of over a hundred horses. This love was further manifest over the years in the possession of many beloved pets. He enjoyed music and was often heard humming, singing or listening to his favorites, such as Anne Murray, Lee Greenwood and the Beach Boys. Whitney was a Jehovah's Witness and enjoyed proselyting in local parks, where he appreciated meeting and talking with people from all walks of life. He loved reading scriptures and church publications. He also loved the outdoors and spent a significant amount of time sitting outside on the deck at his home in Flagstaff. Whitney further enjoyed spending time outdoors with Sandra at their second home in Marble Falls, Texas.

Following a brief battle with Leukemia, Whitney died on March 9th, 2026 in Flagstaff, Arizona, at the age of 78. In addition to his wife, children and grandchildren (Damian, Bailey, Tristan, Landon, Madisyn and Kellen), Whitney is survived by his sisters, as well as several nieces, Jennifer, Kimberly, Ashley and Kate. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Fred, his nephew William, and his brother-in-law, Ronald Gozdecki.

Private family services will be held in Marble Falls, Texas.