Our library has lost a great friend

We heard today that renowned Dover historian Bob Whitehouse has passed away. Over more than thirty years, Bob helped our staff to track down people and events covering 375+ years of local history. Whenever we were stumped, we'd call Bob for a clue. He had a marvelous memory and would hunt through his own binders and folders until he found the answer!
He was my mentor and friend when I started working at the library...I was clueless about Dover's past and he brought me along with his stories, his enthusiasm, and his infectious love of this city. By the mid-80s, he was confident enough in my grasp of Dover history to ask me to co-author a book with him. Our collaboration, Port of Dover, was published in 1988.
Bob also donated hundreds of manuscripts, notebooks, papers, maps, and photographs to the library; these items, now accessible for all researchers, have been invaluable resources. Bob Whitehouse was ever generous with his time, his knowledge, and his Dover memorabilia. We are truly saddened by his passing. He will be greatly missed.