A SAUNDERS-ROE engineer involved in the design of the Black Knight rocket has died, aged 98, after a short illness.
Leonard Keith Whitting, known as Keith, was the only child of Leonard and Elsie Whitting. He was born in Fareham, where his father was a bank manager.
The family moved to Cowes and Mr Whitting was educated at Ryde School and became keen on sailing.
His long career as an engineer began as a Saunders-Roe apprentice where he met his bride-to-be, Peggy Brinton. They married in 1941.
He was re-located during the Second World War to SA-RO’s factory on the Isle of Anglesey, where he was engaged in aircraft repairs. His wife also negotiated a transfer.
When they returned to the Island, they lived first at Ventnor and then built their own bungalow at Wootton.

Their first son, Clive, had been born in North Wales while younger son, Philip, was born on the Island in 1950.
Mr Whitting was involved in rocket tests on the site near The Needles and in Australia as well as in the design and production of the first hovercraft at East Cowes, the SRN-1.
He was an avid model-maker and attended model engineering exhibitions and built his own sailing boat in the garage of his Ryde home.
He produced many paintings and, with his wife, enjoyed motorcycling, cycling and walking.
Mr Whitting became vice-president of the IW Model Engineering Society and regularly went to the group’s railway circuit at Park Road, Cowes.
Married for 75 years, he leaves his wife, son Philip, five great grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
The funeral service took place at the IW Crematorium.