Whitman was raised on a farm in Galesburg, Illinois.[5] He attended Galesburg High School, where he played football and track athletics, graduating in 1948.[5] After graduating, Whitman attended the University of Illinois in 1949, where he became paralyzed in an accident while competing in the gymnastics team.[5][6] He returned to the University of Illinois in 1952.[5] He took up archery after a neighbor provided him with a bow and arrow in 1960.[6]
Whitman participated in the 1960 Summer Paralympics, participating in the first archery competition at the Paralympic Games.[4] He was awarded the gold medal in the men's FITA round open event.[5] Whitman scored 829 points.[7] He also participated in the men's Windsor round open event, being awarded the gold medal.[5] Whitman scored 800 points.[7] He also participated in the first dartchery competition at the Paralympic Games.[7] Whitman was awarded the gold medal along with athlete, Wayne Broeren in the mixed pairs open event.[7] He participated at the 1964 Summer Paralympics, with participating in the archery competition at the Paralympic Games.[4] Whitman participated in the men's albion round open, winning no medal for which he came in fourth place with his score being 759 points.[4][8] He also participated in the albion round team open and FITA round team open events, winning gold medals in both.[9] Whitman participated in the albion round team open event along with Dick Robinson and Dean Slaugh,[9] scoring 2253 points.[9] He also participated in the FITA round team open event along with Jim Mathis and Dean Slaugh.[9]
Whitman was inducted into the United States Wheelchair Sports Hall of Fame, in 1971.[5][6] He died on September 30, 2004, at his home in Champaign, Illinois.[5]
United States
