Richard E. "Gene" Whitaker, 84, of Moline, died Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at his home.  Services will be private.  Burial will be at Rock Island National Cemetery, Arsenal Island, where military honors will be presented.  Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock Island, is assisting the family.

Gene was born in Iowa City, Iowa on February 28, 1933, a son of Herman and Katie Barnes Whitaker.  He graduated from the University of Iowa in 1967.  Gene was a U.S. Army veteran.

Gene worked at Caterpillar, John Deere and the University of Iowa, where he retired in 1999.

Gene was a HAM radio operator, enjoyed attending high school sports and was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Cubs fan.  He also really enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

Survivors include his children, Steve (Mary Lund) Whitaker, Moline and Janel (Kenny) Belk, Bettendorf; grandchildren, Courtney and Taylor Belk and Kylie, Kennidee and Grace Whitaker; brother, Herm Whitaker, Winter Haven, Fla.; his former wife and friend, Marilyn Whitaker; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandson, Alex Belk and sister, L. Lucille Williams.