The rabbit breeding world has lost an icon. Just two days after losing Brian Hartzell, we have learned that Bob Whitman has lost his fight with cancer. There is no one in the Unted States more instrumental than Bob Whitman for bring so many rare breeds and so much history to the ARBA.
A quick trip to Bob’s website, Rare Bits and Pieces, will show you many of the breeds he has brought over to the United States. Most recently it was Bob that brought over the lionhead rabbit from England. Bob was working with several breeds including deilenaars, harlequin dutch, hustlanders, perlfees, and rarer ARBA sanctioned breeds including thriantas, silver fox, and belgian hares.
If you didn’t know of Bob from his work with importing rabbits, then you may have seen his article in the Domestic Rabbit. He authored a column on ARBA history, and I can’t think of anyone who knew more about ARBA history. It helps of course, when you are the one creating it! Bob also wrote the book on domestic rabbit history where he researched 200 domestic breeds from around the world. Hopefully there will be breeders that can pickup where Bob left off.
Are thoughts and prayers go out to the Whitman famly and the many friends he has gained through his passion for rabbits. Its been a strange and very sad week for those involved in raising rabbits.