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In memory of

Mr. John Robert White

Scottsdale, Arizona, USA

1942 - January 1, 2021

1942 - Jan 1, 2021

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John Robert White passed away in the early hours of Thursday, January 1st, 2021 at 78 years of age, after COVID-19 accelerated his condition. He was preceded in Heaven by his parents, Howard White and Alma Hazel Riley, and by his son, Nathan.
A native of Phoenix, Bob’s life and career took him to Utah, New York, Puerto Rico, Pittsburgh, Venezuela and Argentina, and later with his wife Olga to Kentucky, Arizona, Germany, Singapore, and back to Phoenix. He loved the desert and all its beauty.
From an early age, he loved Latin American and North American folk music, and was a true showman singing Irish, Mexican and Argentine folk songs. His singing talent took him to perform in the most well-known TV show in Buenos Aires with such famous folk acts as Los Chalchaleros while on a mission trip. He had busses full of fans who went to see him. All his life, he was ready to sing if offered a guitar, in any event.
He had a successful business career starting with Ernst and Young in New York, moving later to Westinghouse where he worked in different organizational levels, from President for Venezuela, CFO for Latin America, Controller for Europe to Director of Investors relations. He later worked as CFO for Michael Baker Corporation. In parallel to being a successful executive, he taught in the MBAs programs in the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon, Arizona University and Kentucky University.
After his retirement, he moved to Germany for 5 years with his wife Olga, traveling together and discovering a new city, castle or winery. He loved going to a thermal spa with his dear friend, Juergen. After Germany they moved to Singapore for 6 years, where they gained a new appreciation for Asian culture by traveling around to Malaysia, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, and Maldives.
Bob was bigger than life, a dedicated father and grandfather, a wonderful loving husband, a gentleman, with a natural elegance. His presence would fill any room. An avid reader, he loved boxing, which he practiced at young age, as well as tennis and golf. He was generous to a fault; he was always ready to share all his knowledge. This old fashioned romantic had a wonderful happy marriage of 24 years with Olga. Even when his illness robbed a lot from him, their affection for one another and the love they shared never got old.
In addition to his wife Olga, he will be greatly missed by his children, whom he adored: daughters Christen and her husband, Michael, Tamra and her husband, Jonathan, his son Bryan and his wife Jennifer, step-son Fernando and his wife, Alma, and his grandkids, Caroline, Emily, Audrey, Ethan, Kyle, John, Tyler and Francisco, beloved sisters Virginia, Janet and Cindy, his dear nice Marguerite, nieces and nephews, his childhood friend Ronnie and family and his dear friends Juergen and Romy.
In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to the American Stroke Association in the name of Bob White. You can donate online at www.stroke.org.
Please say a prayer for Bob; count your blessings, and hug your loved ones tightly. The love we share is ultimately our legacy, and the joys of a life well-lived.

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