Newport News - Ronald Aubrey Whitenack, 78, of Newport News, VA died peacefully on November 22, 2025.

Born in Norfolk, VA on February 27, 1947, Ron was the son of the late Aubrey Herman Whitenack, Jr. and Lucy Virginia Mills Whitenack. After graduating from Princess Anne High School, he enlisted and served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. Ron earned his Bachelor and Master of Arts in English from the College of William & Mary. He taught English at Menchville and Warwick High Schools for 30 years. Ron was also an Assistant Professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University where he taught Technical Writing and Speech classes on the Worldwide Campuses of Ft. Eustis and Langley Air Force Bases for 18 years.  During all those years, he commuted by bicycle, logging thousands of miles and putting those miles to great use as training for his bicycle racing career.

Ron has been an icon in the Newport News and Hampton Roads area known as the "Bike Rider" and /or "Teacher Man". He was also known throughout the USA Cycling Organization as "Baby Vet" capturing numerous D.C. and VA State Championship titles. Along with his cycling interest, his great love for the ocean led him to racing kayaks and surf skis.

Ron was also an accomplished pianist, studying from the ages of 6 to 13 and picking it up again at the old age of 62. He could be found playing the piano for hours. Ron was driven and exacting in everything he did, whether it be writing, playing the piano, or racing his bicycle or kayak.

Ron's survivors include his wife of 32 years, Betty R. Whitenack, his stepson Robert Cameron Holland IV and his wife Laura, his step-grandson Matthew Lynch Holland, his brother James D. Whitenack and wife Jennifer, and nieces Claire Whitenack and Eleanor Whitenack, and great nephews Chase and Sawyer Marden.

Ron's family is eternally grateful for the incredible kindness and love provided by his caregivers over the past five years, especially Tania Jacobson, Nikki Dame, Lisa Fragala, Lisa Machamer Brenda Deuell and Dr. Teresa McConaughy.

A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date.

www.wrightfuneralhome.org