Robert White

Bob White was a good man, who lived a satisfying life, a life he richly deserved. Bob was a member of our Greatest Generation, a proud veteran and devoted family man. He faced many challenges in his lifetime, yet enjoyed so many successes, none greater than the family who meant everything to him. More than anything, Bob was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, and a gift to all who knew him.

Bob’s story began on a warm spring day in 1923, in the bustling college town of Champaign, Illinois. Those were exciting times in this country, times of peace and prosperity, when Prohibition was law of the land, and Al Capone began building his empire in Chicago. On May 25, 1923, Chester and Mary (Parks) White celebrated the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Robert Eugene.

Bob had a challenging childhood, growing up away from his mother and brother on his Grandmother's farm and in an orphanage, after his Grandmother's death. He spent much of his childhood on his grandmother’s farm outside Champaign, where he learned to work hard and appreciate what he had. Despite the tough circumstances of his youth, he tried to not let it affect the man he became.

Bob enjoyed the farm, and it instilled a lifelong love for nature and outdoors in him. He loved all the farm activities, especially playing in the hay. One time, however, he fell out of a hay loft, suffering a compound fracture of his right wrist. His break was never set properly, and it was left to heal on its own. Consequently, his right arm was shorter than his left the rest of his life, and he had to shorten all of his long-sleeved shirts as an adult.

Eventually, Bob headed off to high school in Rockford, Illinois, where he became a track star at Rockford West High School. He even earned the nickname “Whizzer White,” after the famous football star of that era.

After he graduated from high school in 1940, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army, which was preparing for the imminent battle in World War II. Bob proudly served his country in the Army’s 26th Infantry’s Yankee Division, a fearless band of liberators during the European Theater. During World War II, Bob served as a Medical Corpsman. He attained the rank of Sergeant and was a veteran of the terrible and costly Battle of the Bulge. He very rarely spoke to his family about the war. We knew that those years had a profound impact on his life.

When the war ended, Bob was discharged and returned home to Illinois, where he began a new life. He met a wonderful woman named Vada Jean Cliff, fell in love, and was married on December 28, 1946. The newlyweds soon moved to Athens, Georgia, where Bob took advantage of the G.I. Bill and attended the University of Georgia, to study Forestry. It was the perfect vocation for Bob, who loved trees and the outdoors.

During the summertime while he was in college, Bob would head off to Washington State, where he interned with the U.S. Forestry Service. After Bob graduated, he sought out jobs with the Forestry Service. However, the available jobs would have meant that he and Vada would have had to relocate frequently. Bob and Vada chose to return to Rockford settle down, start and raise their family.

The couple moved back to Rockford, and Bob found a manufacturing job to provide for his growing family. Before they knew it, Bob and Vada were the proud parents of three fine children, who filled their lives with so much happiness.

Bob was a supportive husband and father, who dedicated his life to being a good provider for his family. Bob was a hard worker, a loyal employee, and a great example, too. He was always a well-dressed man, meticulous in his appearance, right down to the length of his shirtsleeves, which he asked Vada to shorten for him.

When his children were young, Bob supported Vada’s desire to go to college to earn her teaching degree, caring for the kids at night while their mother took evening classes. Later in life, Bob often said how proud he was of Vada to have accomplished her goals.

Bob was equally supportive of his children and their educations, and tried not to miss any of their extra-curricular activities. In fact, all three of his children graduated from Rockford West High School, just like the “Whizzer White” did all those years before.

The family did much together over the years, especially camping, as Bob instilled a love for the outdoors in his kids. Bob and Vada enjoyed camping and the family took many summer vacations to various regions of the country. Bob and his son, David, spent some fun times fishing in Canada. They all enjoyed being outside. Often they’d just go to the local parks to enjoy a picnic together, frequently with aunts, uncles, and cousins! The favorite picnic meal was breakfast! The family’s fondest memories, however, were of their fantastic Fourth of July parties, which were famous, beloved traditions among their family and friends.

In 1980, the family had an extra-special Fourth of July party. Unbeknownst to Bob and Vada, their children were throwing them a surprise 35th anniversary party — six months ahead of time to keep it a surprise! The kids hired a band, too, and when the band arrived, Bob and Vada tried to shoo them away, sure they had the wrong house!

It was a beloved memory for the both of them, one of so many they shared together. Bob and Vada loved their family so dearly, and were enormously proud when they started becoming grandparents. They enjoyed traveling and visiting their kids and grandkids, always their favorite activity.

Bob retired in 1986, after many years of loyal, dedicated service, anxious to spend more time with Vada and their family. Sadly, she died the following year, after 41 wonderful years of marriage.

Bob renewed his acquaintance with Jean Babbitt. Jean and Harry Babbitt had been friends from the early years in Rockford. They began dating, and were married in September of 1987, beginning many happy years of retirement together. They enjoyed going up to Lake Mills together in Wisconsin, and spending time at the VFW Post, where Bob became secretary for a time.

Bob also had many friends, who were drawn to his affable, outgoing personality. He was an avid reader, making him an excellent conversationalist on a number of subjects, too. He enjoyed playing cards, especially Cribbage. Many family gatherings were spent playing cards with Vada's brother, Bobby Cliff, and other family members.

Bob enjoyed working in his yard or playing golf, the game he grew to love, despite having his childhood injury hamper his game. He especially enjoyed playing with his brother-in-law, Elmer Cook. The annual 4th of July party often started with a round of golf at the crack of dawn!

During his marriage to Jean, they traveled extensively. Bob and Jean often took trips through Elderhostel. After Jean's death in 2002, he met Margaret Gausebeck in 2003. Bob and Margaret enjoyed each other's company and were wonderful companions. They, too, traveled as often as possible.

Bob was a proud veteran, a hard worker, and a faithful friend, and a great example of our Greatest Generation. More than anything, Bob was a loving husband, father and grandfather, whose proud legacy lives on in them today. He will be greatly missed.