R. Roy Whitney, 79, of Newport News, VA, passed away unexpectedly at his home on November 18th, 2024. At a time when most people might consider slowing down, Roy started BNNT, LLC, seeking something “fun to do” in retirement. Endlessly curious and relentlessly optimistic, Roy’s approach to life was to embrace both challenges and opportunities. When faced with a choice to take the left or right fork in the road, he would invariably say “let’s do both!” His enthusiasm was infectious, and he always brought out the best in everyone around him.

Roy was an inventor at heart - filing patents for methods to collect space junk, could wax on about the detailed particle physics of inertial fusion, and even measured the cosmic background radiation levels in his garage, all for the sheer joy of discovery.

He leaves behind a world-leading company in boron nitride nanotube technology and a team of employees who mourn his passing as family. Roy is now reunited with his wife and soulmate, Destnne, who passed away in 2022, on what he liked to call “the other side.”

The team at BNNT offers heartfelt condolences to his surviving family members. Roy’s leadership, energy, and compassion will be sorely missed.