The Grumman Aerospace Corporation in Bethpage did hugely important work in its heyday. And Barrett Whitman should know. In his time there, from 1956 to 1987, he headed up structural analysis for the Apollo lunar module that landed on the moon in 1969. His other main projects involved the horizontal stabilizer on military aircraft for the Air Force and the M161 hydrofoil boat.
Mr. Whitman, who summered in Montauk starting in 1973 and moved there full time in 1988, died on Nov. 15 at the age of 95.
In Montauk he and his wife, the former Joyce Richardson Hayes, whom he married on May 25, 1952, enjoyed socializing and entertaining, hosting “countless perfect beach days and star-filled nights,” according to their daughter, Suzanne Whitman.
“They were happy being part of the community and constantly marveled at Montauk’s natural beauty,” she said. “Barrett often said while relaxing on their deck in Montauk and looking out at the ocean, ‘It sure would take a lot of this to kill you.’ “
From 1956 to 1988, the couple made their home in Melville. “Summers spent with neighbors at Robert Moses Field 3 created a love of the beach plus lifetime memories,” their daughter said. “Super Bowl parties at their home in Melville were extra special; halftime door prizes and a betting pool added to the celebration.”
“In addition to Barrett’s sharp mind, he had a quick wit. He always worked a joke or funny comment into a conversation.” Not only that, he was the proud possessor of an Eras Tour T-shirt, as he “admired Taylor Swift’s creative and professional accomplishments. He was probably one of the oldest Swifties around.”
Mr. Whitman was born in New York City on March 25, 1929, to Barrett Whitman and the former Lydia Cohan, and grew up in New Jersey and Massachusetts, graduating from high school in Springfield, Mass. He went on to attend M.I.T. and Boston University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering.
As a second lieutenant in the infantry, he served in the Army from 1951 to 1953, earning an expert-level weapons qualification badge.
He counted among his pastimes comedy and following auto racing, and he was a New York Jets season ticket holder dating to 1963. A fan of country music, he took up the guitar at the age of 40.
Mr. Whitman’s wife died in 2021. In addition to his daughter, who lives in Boulder, Colo., he is survived by a son, Alan Whitman of Longmont, Colo. He leaves a brother, Stephen C. Whitman of Austin, Tex., and his wife, Janet L. Whitman, as well as one granddaughter, Ana Melara Whitman of Boulder, two nieces, and three nephews.
Memorial contributions have been suggested to the Montauk Fire Department, 12 Flamingo Avenue, Montauk 11954, or East End Hospice, P.O. Box 1048, Westhampton Beach 11978.
