Charles H. Whitebread ’65

Combining intellectual and physical energy with spiritual and financial generosity, Charlie Whitebread, who died of lung cancer Sept. 16, 2008, at home in Santa Monica, Calif., had few equals.  

Charlie grew up in Bethesda, Md., graduated from the Landon School, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa at Princeton, and graduated summa cum laude. He was an editor of the Yale Law Journal before starting a distinguished teaching career at U.Va. and USC law schools. From 1972 through 2008 he won five distinguished teaching prizes. He also lectured at the FBI Academy for over 20 years and to judges nationally on Supreme Court decisions. For 25 years he published his booklet. Recent Decisions of the Supreme Court.

Charlie was among the first law professors to focus on juvenile law. He co-authored Children in the Legal System, a major work, and produced numerous law review articles and 10 other books. He raised, personally and through his efforts, more than $500,000 for the Jeff Griffin Youth Center, part of the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center.

He is survived by his partner, John Golden, and their friend, Michael S. Kelly; his sister, Anne W. Tower; and his brother, Joseph B. Whitebread Jr. The class extends condolences to all on the loss of this amazing individual.