Wheelock Whitney Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wheelock Whitney Jr.
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| Born | July 30, 1926 St. Cloud, Minnesota, U.S.
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| Died | May 20, 2016 (aged 89) Independence, Minnesota, U.S.
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| Education | Phillips Academy |
| Alma mater | Yale University |
| Occupation | Investment banker, educator, sports team owner/executive, politician |
| Political party | Republican |
| Board member of | Johnson Institute Minnesota Twins Minnesota Vikings |
| Spouse(s) |
Irene Hixon
(m. 1948; died 1986)Penny Lewis
(m. 1990; div. 1994)Kathleen A. Blatz
(m. 2005) |
| Children | Wheelock III, Pennell, Joseph, Benson |
| Parent(s) | Wheelock Whitney & Katharine Kimball |
| Honors |
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Wheelock "Whee" Whitney Jr. (born July 30, 1926 – died May 20, 2016) was an important American figure. He was a successful businessman, a teacher, and a leader in sports. He also helped many charities and was involved in politics.
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Early Life and Learning
Wheelock Whitney Jr. went to Phillips Academy and Yale University. He studied at Yale with George H. W. Bush, who later became a U.S. President.
After college, Whitney became a successful investment banker. He worked in this field from 1957 to 1972. Later, he decided to teach business at the Carlson School of Business at the University of Minnesota.
Whitney also ran for political office in Minnesota. He was the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in 1964. He also ran for governor of Minnesota in 1982.
Sports Leadership
Whitney played a big part in bringing major sports teams to Minnesota.
Baseball and Hockey
In 1959, he was involved with the Continental League, a new baseball league. He helped bring the Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball team to Minnesota. He served on the team's board of directors for many years.
Whitney also helped get a National Hockey League team for Bloomington, Minnesota. This team became the Minnesota North Stars in 1967. He also helped build the Met Center, where the North Stars played.
Football
Whitney was also a part-owner and president of the Minnesota Vikings football team. He held these roles for several years.
Personal Life and Interests
Whitney married Irene Hixon in 1948. They worked together to create the Johnson Institute, an organization that helps people. Irene Whitney passed away in 1986.
In 2005, Whitney married Kathleen A. Blatz. She was the Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court. Wheelock Whitney Jr. died on May 20, 2016.
Horse Racing
Whitney was very involved in thoroughbred horse racing. His most famous horse was named Quicken Tree. This horse won several big races in the 1960s. These wins included the Santa Anita Handicap and the Jockey Club Gold Cup.
