Robert L. Whelden, 56, Served as State Trooper

Robert L. Whelden of Falmouth, 56, a retired trooper with the Massachusetts State Police and the former supervisor of the Martha's Vineyard Drug Task Force, died Jan. 16 after a lengthy illness.

He was the beloved husband of Monique Tarani Whelden for nine years.

Mr. Whelden was born in Hyannis, the son of Robert and Dorothy (Kotolac) Whelden of Falmouth, and moved to Falmouth in 1962. He was a 1968 graduate of Lawrence High School in Falmouth, where he was president of the senior class, secretary of the Key Club, captain of the Falmouth Clippers hockey team and a football player. He received varsity letters in hockey for three years and was a member of the All-Cape hockey team in 1965, 1966 and 1967. In 1968, he was chosen as a member of the Boston Herald Traveler's All-Scholastic squad after being the team high scorer at a championship game at the Boston Garden.

He attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and later worked for the Steamship Authority. Mr. Whelden also was a member of the Screen Actors Guild. In the 1974 filming of Jaws, he landed a minor role as a state trooper.

In 1974, he joined the state police. During his 25 years of service, he was assigned to Troop D in Yarmouth, F Troop at Logan Airport, the Crime Prevention and Control unit assigned to the Barnstable District Attorney's office and the Cape Cod Drug Task Force. He was also the supervisor of the Martha's Vineyard Drug Task Force.

He coached youth hockey for several years, and was an avid boater and guitar player.

Survivors besides his wife and parents include his three children, Benjamin Whelden of Buzzards Bay, Brooke Jaquello of Falmouth and Meghan Whelden of Falmouth; and two sisters, Debbie Allietta and Lee Dennis, both of Falmouth. He was previously married to Genevieve Lane Whelden. He was predeceased by his brother, Donald Whelden.

Visiting hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 584 West Falmouth Highway, West Falmouth.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. tomorrow at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 91 Main street, Falmouth. The interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to the JML Care Center, 184 Ter Heun Drive, Falmouth, MA 02540.