Memories of Robert "Bob" Leon White

In memory of

Robert "Bob" Leon White

Boonville, IN, USA

December 24, 1954 - July 12, 2021

Dec 24, 1954 - Jul 12, 2021

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Please consider a gift to Tom White Youth Scholarship or Habitat for Humanity International - Warrick County.

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Paul Green

Shared a heart

Carol Sporleder

Cheryl and family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I will be in touch after you’ve had a chance to get settled.

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Comments:

Cheryl White

Thank you, Carol! Thank you, Carol! Thank you, Carol!

Rose Yvonne

I had the honor of serving with Bob at Grace Church in Olney, Illinois in our Stephen Ministry. I always appreciated his calm and loving nature. Bob was a great listener and an encourager to all. Bob has been a good friend to my brother and to me through the years. His was certainly a life well lived for the Lord! Bob will be greatly missed! I know he had many crowns to lay at the feet of Jesus!

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Comments:

Cheryl White

Thank you for sharing Rose! Thank you for sharing Rose! Thank you for sharing Rose!

Please consider a gift to Tom White Youth Scholarship or Habitat for Humanity International - Warrick County.

$3,000.00

Raised by 8 people

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Cheryl White

2021, Maryland

Thank you, Tim, for introducing Bob to Maryland crab!

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Rose Yvonne

Timothy White

Comments:

Cheryl White

And for being our personal tour guide in DC, sharing stories of your adventures in the military and in the... Read more And for being our personal tour guide in DC, sharing stories of your adventures in the military and in the DC area. Thank you... Read more And for being our personal tour guide in DC, sharing... Read more

Tim White

2020

Bob, along with his family, have been so helpful during my path of reconciliation. I am so grateful for the time I was able to spend with them in this last year. I will cherish the ear and the heart that he offered.

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Rose Yvonne

Sue White

Tim White

2020, Oak Ridge, TN, USA

Bob and Kimmy visiting me

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Rose Yvonne

Jim Webb, President

Bob was a regular volunteer at the Bread of Life Ministry, Inc. in Lynnville IN. He will be missed by all.

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Rose Yvonne

Comments:

Cheryl White

Thank you for sharing Jim- Bob enjoyed his time at Bread of Life. Thank you for sharing Jim- Bob enjoyed his time at Bread of Life. Thank you for sharing Jim- Bob enjoyed his time at ... Read more

Debby Dougherty

Bob was such a kind & sweet man. I always enjoyed talking with him. I’m so sorry for your loss. May God comfort you and give you peace.

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Rose Yvonne

Comments:

Cheryl White

Thank you for sharing Debby! How did you know Bob? Thank you for sharing Debby! How did you know Bob? Thank you for sharing Debby! How did you know Bob?... Read more

Kris Housel

2017, Along the East Fork of Little Colorado River, Apache National Forest

Day hike to catch Colorado River Cutthroat Trout

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Rose Yvonne

Kris Housel

Besides my wife, Bob has been my best friend in life.

We first met as freshmen through high school football. It was during the pre-season ritual called ‘Hell week’ that we became friends. Throughout High School, we ate lunch together nearly every day with a small circle of friends.

In High School, Bob introduced me to the on-campus Christian organization called Campus Life. Minister Larry Mabey led our tiny group of three! Up to this time, my understanding was that Christianity spoke to the bigger issues in life: love, sacrifice and forgiveness. But Campus Life – as well as my friend Bob - taught me that through the study of scripture, you could apply biblical principles even to small, less significant areas of your life – like high school issues, growing up issues. That there was a “Christian way of life” that was applicable throughout your day.

Bob and I shared a love for playing any and all sports. We played tennis regularly together for years. On a recent visit to California, we played tennis and basketball – and he was still quite good, despite the passing years – I can’t really remember, but I think he beat me.

Bob had a great appreciation of art of all types; paintings, writing and especially music. We both enjoyed Christian music – and for us, the more creative, the better! Bob’s primary creative outlet was photography. We shared this ‘artful hobby’ together – even constructing a dark room in his parent’s garage.

Bob loved nature and the outdoors. We went on numerous camping and backpacking trips together, in the desert and mountains.

We went on a rugged, off-trail backpack in Sheep canyon in Anza Borrego Desert. We saw groups of wild bighorn sheep and marveled at the flowing perennial stream in this desert canyon. We arrived back at the trailhead as dusk settled over the desert, muscle tired, but wonderfully content. It’s remarkable how certain memories stay vividly with you through the years… I see, or rather I hear and feel his Chevy Malibu roaring along, gently drifting in the sandy wash, with the Who’s Baba O’Riley at full volume; My, that was heaven for us!

Bob’s brother Tom, Bob and I did a trans-Sierra backpack crossing along the High Sierra Trail including a climb up Mount Whitney. I remember us bathing ‘al naturel’ in a remote hot spring along the Kern River. Also, I remember the altitude headache that I - and I think Tom too - had on the Mount Whitney summit. Bob though, was fine!

Bob and I shared an abiding interest in fishing. On one trip, Bob and I hiked up the wild and trail-less Sespe River. A wilderness area known for the giant condors, bears, mountain lions, rattlesnakes, oh, and also poison oak. We successful avoided all, but the poison oak. We fly fished the river for remnant Steelhead trout, keeping a few to cook for our dinners. It was an epic adventure for two young men.

Bob and I were roommates for a few years after high school. In our mid-twenties, both of our lives were sputtering a bit, not running as smoothly as could be. Then, I watched as Bob made two momentous and wonderful choices that changed his life in the best possible ways. The first was to marry Cheryl, who was to provide love, stability, and eventually the family that he so clearly loved. The second of his choices was to pursue a career in Social Work and graduate with a Master’s degree from the mighty USC. Social work gave Bob a career that was a true ministry to others that he so deeply wanted. I was so proud of him for making these choices, and for completing the difficult degree and credentialing process.

Career and family ultimately led Bob away from Southern California. We met together much less frequently. But recently, just four years ago, Bob and I reconnected for a 10 day long backpacking and car camping trip in Arizona and New Mexico. We fly fished for three rare subspecies of wild trout – this time ‘catch-and-release’ only. It was great spending so much quality time with my friend on yet another epic adventure. It was as if nothing had changed. Bob said as much, “When old friends come together, they pick up right where they left off.”

The last time Bob and I met was last December. It was during Covid time, so we kept our distance and had lunch outdoors at a park. I brought a ball and two mitts and we played catch as we talked. He said he could do a ‘plank’ for three minutes. I said, “Let’s do a plank-off to see who can last the longest.” He laughed and said, “You always turn everything into a completion.” He won…easily. We had picked up, right where we left off – two aging friends; my best friend.

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Rose Yvonne

Sue White

Tami and Allen Worsham

Comments:

Janice Federico

Oh my goodness, Chris, what a beautiful write-up of your memories. Every time we got together he talked about... Read more Oh my goodness, Chris, what a beautiful write-up of your memories. Every time we got together he talked about you and I always... Read more Oh my goodness, Chris, what a beautiful write-up of... Read more

Cheryl White

He loved his adventures with you Kris! He loved his adventures with you Kris! He loved his adventures with you Kris!

Rose Yvonne

What wonderful memories! Few are blessed to share a friendship like yours and Bob's. What wonderful memories! Few are blessed to share a friendship like yours and Bob's. What wonderful memories! Few are blessed to share a... Read more

Sue White

I know Bob and you shared a great friendship and were of one heart and mind. So thankful you had a chance... Read more I know Bob and you shared a great friendship and were of one heart and mind. So thankful you had a chance to spend time together... Read more I know Bob and you shared a great friendship and were... Read more

Marcie Janes

Shared a heart

Rose Yvonne

Karen and Kevin Gibson

My husband, Kevin, and I became friends with Bob through pickle ball. Always being a good sport, Bob was fun to play with, either as a partner or opponent. We discussed his faith and how he enjoyed showing his love of Christ through his volunteering. Sending Our prayers to Bob’s family. He was a wonderful man and we were blessed to have known him.

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Janice Federico

Rose Yvonne

Comments:

Cheryl White

Thank you for sharing Karen and Kevin! Bob was a pickle ball fanatic or FAN ADDICT! Thank you for sharing Karen and Kevin! Bob was a pickle ball fanatic or FAN ADDICT! Thank you for sharing Karen and Kevin! Bob was a pickle... Read more