Renowned Lakewood Ranch architect passes away at 68, 18 months post-retirement.

Doug Whitney, a master architect and a deeply caring individual, had a unique gift for saying the right thing at the right time.

His partner of 20 years, Doug DuPouy, felt this more than anyone else.

“I am the worrier,” DuPouy admits. “When I’d get anxious, he’d say, ‘Give it to God, and go to sleep.’

DuPouy took that advice, and things invariably worked out.

Tragically, Whitney passed away unexpectedly on August 11 at the age of 68, leaving a significant void for DuPouy and countless others whose lives he enriched.

“He had a very big heart,” DuPouy recalls. “He would do anything for anybody.”

Whitney joined the WBRC architectural firm in 1980 in Bangor, Maine, and was set to retire after a 43-year career on January 1, 2024. He moved to Lakewood Ranch in 2002 to establish WBRC’s Florida branch.

As he contemplated retirement, Whitney expressed his longing to buy a home in Maine.

“Retirement was never really a goal of mine, but I’m just getting to that point in time,” he stated in an interview with the East County Observer, a sister publication of the Business Observer. “It would be nice to have time for myself. I’m looking forward to the next chapter and giving others a chance to move up.”

He found a perfect spot in Eddington, Maine, at the end of a two-mile dirt road, overlooking Chemo Pond.

“It has a magnificent view,” DuPouy remarks. “We have 12 acres of frontage. That’s where he wants me to scatter his ashes.”

Whitney’s love for Maine was matched by his affection for Lakewood Ranch.

“We still have a condo in Summerfield,” DuPouy shares. “He designed numerous buildings here and was exceptional at his job.”

Under his leadership, WBRC completed 1,823 projects, with 617 directly under his supervision in Florida. He crafted buildings in 23 states.

“His contributions, from iconic designs to establishing our practice in Florida, were pivotal to our success. Doug was a wonderful human being. To know him was to love him. He was generous, positive, loyal, and brimming with creative energy. His mark on our company and the lives he touched is indelible,” stated WBRC CEO Ray Bolduc.

Whitney highlighted his favorite designs in Lakewood Ranch, notably the headquarters for R.E. Crawford Construction in Corporate Park, which won the Grand Aurora Award for Best Commercial Project in its category.

Another notable project was the Tidewell Hospice House, designed to meet medical codes for inpatient hospice care, featuring the same safety standards as a hospital.

His colleagues at WBRC cherished him immensely. Laura Adcock, Mauren Freire, and Kevin Meserve made the trip to Maine to celebrate Whitney’s life on August 19 at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith in Bangor.

During his life in Lakewood Ranch, DuPouy recalls Whitney enjoying beach outings, visits to St. Armands Circle, and trips to Wyland Galleries in Sarasota.

“He loved antiquing,” DuPouy reminisces. “He also collected toy soldiers. Our Maine house had a four-car garage filled with cabinets of them.”

DuPouy will always associate those soldiers with his partner, often hearing his calming voice at night.

“Give it to God, and go to sleep,” he reflects.

“We were a united front,” DuPouy states.

Plans for a celebration of life in Lakewood Ranch are still uncertain. Condolences for Whitney’s family can be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.

This article originally appeared on sister site YourObserver.com.

Key Information

• Doug Whitney’s Age: 68
• Date of Passing: August 11
• Career Duration: 43 years
• Architectural Firm: WBRC
• Major Projects: R.E. Crawford Construction headquarters, Tidewell Hospice House
• Memorial Service Date: August 19
• Condolences Website: BrookingsSmith.com