Originally from Scarsdale, N.Y., at Princeton he majored in politics and dined at Cloister. From second semester freshman year to graduation, his roommate was Bill Stein. Whitney, Bill, and Holt Rose toured Europe together the summer of 1954.
Whitney spent three years as a lieutenant in the Air Force stationed in France. Subsequently he was assistant to the renowned wine expert Alexis Lichine and lived at Château Lascombes, near Bordeaux. Next, he was wine consultant to S.S. Pierce Co. in Boston and graduated Harvard Law in 1963.
He became partner at three New York law firms successively. His fluency in French attracted clients from France. For many years he was chief warder of the Beefeater Club, presiding at the semi-annual dinners with expertise in gastronomy and viniculture, mock solemnity, and infectious humor.
Whitney is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marion; sons Ian and Stefan; and three grandchildren.