Dr. Carlton F. Whitman

Dr. Carlton F. Whitman was the Band Director at Palmetto High School until 1967 when he accepted a teaching position at the University of Florida Music Department in Gainesville, Florida.

Whitman obtained his bachelor's degree from Auburn University in 1956 and his master's degree from Troy State University in 1960. He went on to earn his Specialist Degree in Education in 1969 and his doctorate in 1970 from the University of Florida. Whitman was an alumnus of the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity at Auburn as well as Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia music fraternity.

One day in late 1970 Dr. Whitman was driving to his home outside Gainesville after teaching classes at the university. He was crossing some railroad tracks that weren't well marked, but on a route he always took. Although he was only 37 years old, he evidently had some hearing loss and did not notice a train coming that day. He was killed in the resulting accident. He was survived by his wife Nancy and four sons - Lee, Jay, Del and Tod.

The University of Florida Foundation still awards a scholarship named the "Carlton Whitman Memorial Music Fund" honoring his memory.

A Facebook page was created by his son Jay to honor Dr. Whitman.

-Compiled from UF Foundation records and former students' recollections