Robert S. White's Obituary
Mr. Robert S. "Bob" White passed away Tuesday, March 7, 2017 peacefully after an extended illness at the Harbor Hospice Poppen Residence in Muskegon, Michigan with his loving wife Laurie at his side. He was born on March 19, 1938 to Louis L. White and Evelyn Chew White in Guthrie, Oklahoma. He grew up mostly in Arkansas City, KS where he was an active member of the Ark City marching band. The family moved to Edmond, OK in 1958 where he attended Central State University and was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Bob's career in Journalism took him from Oklahoma, to Texas, Indiana, Boston and finally Philadelphia, where he met his wife, Laurie Galinet, of 30 years. White won the national Sigma Delta Chi Radio Reporting Award, one of journalism’s highest honors from the Society of Professional Journalists, for his coverage of deadly Category 3 Hurricane Celia in 1970. He was working for Dallas radio station KRLD when he risked his life to drive to Corpus Christi to cover the storm where all power lines were down. The storm destroyed much of downtown Corpus Christi and almost 9,000 homes in the area. Hurricane Celia is known as one of the costliest storms in Texas history. From Dallas he moved to Philadelphia where he worked a number of years in radio at WMMR. He started his journalism career in Oklahoma City in the late 1960s. In addition to news reporting, White also worked in public relations and was a freelance writer for a number of years. After finishing his career in Radio and Television News, during which he received recognition and numerous awards, Bob and Laurie moved to Muskegon in 1989. Bob came to love Michigan’s beauty, the warm and friendly people, the lifestyle and the outdoor pleasures living there afforded. He loved to ski, ice fish and enjoyed the occasional wildlife that ventured into his beautiful backyard. White was also a professional drummer, playing with bands starting in the late 1950s. One of his early bands won a whirlwind trip to New York City for their performance of a Brylcreem commercial. In another musical competition he won the opportunity to lead the Stan Kenton Orchestra for a performance. He was a life-long music collector and music trivia master who loved to share his collection and insights. Bob also loved his cat Millie "Mills" and he was very proud of having earned a Black Belt in Judo. He is survived by the love of his life, Laurie; two sisters, Jane White Townsend of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Jody White Roberts of Henderson, Nevada as well as 4 nieces and 3 nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Lew Allen White and Richard White. MEMORIALS in Bob’s memory may be directed to Harbor Hospice Foundation (1050 W. Western Ave, Suite 400, Muskegon, MI 49441).
What’s your fondest memory of Robert?
What’s a lesson you learned from Robert?
Share a story where Robert's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Robert you’ll never forget.
How did Robert make you smile?