Richard Allen White

December 16, 1937 - March 29, 2021

Richard Allen White, Dick (Dad), died March 29th at the Mid Pinellas Suncoast Hospice Center after a difficult battle with cancer. We are grateful to have spent time with him during his final days. He is survived by June Miller White, his wife, of over 60 years (and our mom) whom Dad has known since she was 17 (thanks Bobbie Tilford for introducing them!). Dad is also leaving me behind, his daughter, Jennifer Vaughan, who lives in Cannock Wood, England, with my husband, Eric, and 3 children, Allie (31), who lives in NY, Ranger (13) and Trek (11). He has said his last goodbyes to my brother in Clearwater, Florida, Rich White, and his wife, Jamie and their children Will (13) and Katie (6). Dad was born December 16, 1937 in Dayton, Ohio, to Virginia Mosteller White and Sigel Allen White. He was a graduate of Fairview High School, Dayton, Ohio, William Jewel College, Missouri (B.A.), Colgate Rochester Divinity School, New York (M.Div.) and State University of New York at Buffalo (MSW). He was also a member of ACSW (Academy of Certified Social Workers). Dad served as Pastor of Community Christian Church in Rochester, New York (coincidentally where I was born in 1968!). CCC is still known for its community outreach programs. It is an open and welcoming congregation of the United Church of Christ. On their website it reads, “Young and old, people of all colors, queer and straight, questioners and lifelong believers join together weekly…” This describes Dad’s philosophy to a T, everyone everywhere should be accepted! He is the reason I went into working for people with disabilities and ultimately became a Speech-Language Pathologist. My brother also chose a field that cares for the world, environmental horticulture. He is a supervisor in the Florida Department of Agriculture. The American Baptist Churches, headquartered in Valley Forge, PA, employed Dad to work in housing administration for people in need. In Florida, he also served the American Baptists, the Presbyterians, USA and the Episcopalians in a similar capacity. Dad naturally adored his grandchildren. He wholeheartedly adopted his role as grandparent to Allie when she came into our lives with Eric and has loved her from day one. He travelled with Mom to visit Ranger and Trek in England, Scotland, South Africa and Tanzania. We’ve also cruised multiple seas and oceans together to various ports worldwide. He was fortunate enough to spend time weekly with Katie and Will…family meals, babysitting, sleepovers and playing in the pool. He loved those family trips to National Parks in the U.S. and Canada with Rich’s family and swimming with the manatees. Dad had fun travelling with Aunt Ann and Papa Ray, Bobbie and Ernie too. I think his favorite times were with my mom and all his family and friends when we could be there at the mountain cabin in Blairsville, Georgia. I can still picture him puttering around in the landscape outside the cabin or helping us make s’mores round the campfire! We were so lucky to grow up with parents who loved to travel and share new experiences with us. I cherish memories of our family camping in the Poconos and canoeing in the lake. Dad was also a father-figure to my cousins when they needed someone. He was a helper, a giver, a carer and loved by so many. We are grateful for the time we were able to spend together. Dad, we all will miss you forever! You were such an important part of the life of your wife, your children, your grandchildren, your extended family and all your friends! We love you! The immediate family will conduct a small service at the scatter garden at Curlew Hills Memory Gardens on April 10th. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Community Christian Church. This can be made online by going to cccopentoall.org and clicking the icon “give” or mailing a check to 2647 Chili Avenue, Rochester, NY 14624.