George Whatmore

George Bernard Whatmore, PhD, MD, died peacefully at home with his family by his side on 6/5/2009 at the age of 91.  He was born at home in the Madrona area of Seattle on 8/31/1917 to Delia F. and Harry J. Whatmore.  He grew up moving from house to house as his mother would complete construction on one and then begin another.   He graduated from Garfield High in 1935.  He earned his BS degree in pharmacology from the University of Washington, then his PhD in neurophysiology and later his MD degree both from the U of Chicago.

 George was deeply committed to adding to the body of scientific knowledge and devoted much of his life to researching the connections between the brain, nervous system and functional disorders.  He was a pioneer in using neuromuscular biofeedback for treatment and is considered the founder of this field.  He sought to treat the cause of functional disorders and not just the symptoms.

 He met his wife-to-be, Frances Beatty, while living in Seattle before he left for the U of Chicago.  In 1942 she caught the last civilian plane to Chicago at the outset of WWII and they were married.  In 1948 while George was doing his internship and residency at Harborview Hospital in Seattle, he moved his family to Beaux Arts Village where George and Frances lived until their respective deaths.  He was very dedicated to his family and was always willing to help anyone who sought his medical advice. 

 George was athletic and always interested in learning how to maintain and improve health.  As a young man he would climb high up Mt. Rainier for one long ski run down.  He also loved to water ski.  One of his favorite activities that he promoted and participated in throughout his entire adult life was weightlifting.  During college, he and his friends were avid weightlifters and convinced the UW to include weightlifting into the physical education program.   

 After a long and productive career in his field of research in neurophysiology, he published many articles and a book titled “The Physiopathology and Treatment of Functional Disorders”.    After George retired from his medical practice, he spent the next 26 years doing research for the publication of two books on religion.   “A Scientist Looks at Religion” was first, and then “High Probability Christianity”.    During his research into the subjects of health and religion he was insistent that it was important to apply the principles of the scientific method to derive more reliable information.  He was able to complete his last book  before he died which was a wonderful achievement for him.

 George was a brilliant, methodical, dedicated and passionate person who was admired and loved by all.  He was extremely thorough in everything he did.  He was feisty right up until the end and was still lifting weights.  He will be missed but never forgotten.  Everyone will miss his  medical, health, and religious advice and the life lessons that he shared.  He often would say “zero down” to relax, and “What is the evidence?”  and “Use the scientific method”.  His death represents the end of an era for the family, but his legacy will live on. 

 He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Frances, in May 2005.  He was also preceded in death by his older brothers Joseph and Harold.  George is survived by his children Pamela Whatmore, David Whatmore (Maria) and Nancy Shriver and grandchildren Elizabeth Ostendorf, Christopher Ostendorf, Sharon Whatmore and Ethan Whatmore.

 The family would like to thank the Morse family; Mare, Marty, Kiana and Kenny for their years of help and the 24 hour care at the end.  We would also like to thank everyone that helped George edit and complete his final book.

 The family plans to have a memorial for both George and Frances in the fall.  Date and time to be announced later.  In lieu of flowers, their family would like to receive your memories of George and Frances.