Roger Kenneth "Chili-Man" Whittemore, 81, of Claremont, NH, died March 23, 2026 at the Jack Byrne Center in Lebanon, NH.

Roger was born on December 4, 1944 in Saco, ME, the son of the late Kenneth E. and Bertha D. (Grace) Whittemore.

Roger was raised in Saco, and Old Orchard Beach, ME, for the first eleven years of his life.  He then moved with his parents to Claremont, NH, where he attended Stevens High School.  Roger entered the U.S. Navy at the age of 19.

Roger served the U.S. Navy as a Photographer's Mate, where he retired after a remarkable 22-year career.  Roger served during the Vietnam and Gulf War.  While in the Navy, he was credited with photographing a never before photographed USSR Warship and published in Jane's Fighting Ships.  He circumnavigated the earth, crossed the equator two times. He has visited 12 countries.  Roger was known to be highly proficient for producing quality work.  Roger was awarded numerous awards, and commendations from various admirals and commanding officers.

After retiring from the Navy, Roger worked as the switchboard operator for the V.A. Medical Center in White River Junction, VT, between 1998 and 2003.  In 2000, on his off hours from the V.A., began his dream of starting his own manufacturer plant, "Abundant Nutrition".  As owner/founded, he formulated produced a pre-package, Gourmet, instant Chili-Mix, called; Roger's Dead River Chili-Mix.  In 2003, Roger left the V.A. to work full time at his dream.  In 2004, he suffered a heart attack and was forced to close the plant in 2005.

Roger was a member of the Polish-American Citizens Club, The American Legion post 29, Men's Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars; Fleet Reserve Association; Disabled American Veterans Chapter 20 and the AARP.

Roger was a "Big Brother" for the Big Brother, Big Sister of Western New Hampshire, where he enjoyed mentoring a young person, and honored as the "Community Big Brother of the year 2009"

Roger's hobbies included scuba diving (Padi-Divemaster), boating, and fishing.  He was a member of the following fishing organizations; New England Saltwater Fly Rodders, Stripers Forever, Federation of Fly Fishers, Coastal Conservation Association of New Hampshire, and Trout Unlimited.

Roger is survived by his brother, Ronald Whittemore and his wife, Lois of Claremont, NH, one niece and one nephew and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was predeceased by his brother, Lawrence Whittemore.

Visiting hours will be at the Stringer Funeral Home in Claremont on March 30, 2026 from 2 to 4 pm.

Roger will be interred, during a private service at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, NH.