Robert Orville White
September 14, 1938 - April 21, 2015
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Robert Orville White
September 14, 1938 - April 21, 2015
Obituary
Robert Orville White passed away April 21, 2015.
He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and cousin.
Robert grew up in Bellingham, graduated from Bellingham High School where he lettered in track, basketball, and football. He entered into the University of Washington Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the 1959 football team, was the Bellingham Junior Chamber of Commerce Sportsman of the Year in 1959 and a member of Beta Theta Pi.
Robert achieved his dream of playing in the Rose Bowl in 1960 with the University of Washington. He was able to continue that dream after graduating from UW by returning to his home town, with which he felt such a strong sense of community, in order to give back to the future generations as others had done for him before.
He was a teacher at Bellingham High School and coached both football and wrestling during his tenure there.
He is survived by his wife Kay, daughter Erin MacCormack (Sean), son Dean White (Penny), grandson Hunter White, sister Doris Heyntsen (Einar), brother Doug White (Lorna), brother-in-law Bill Johnson, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
A private gathering will be held at Bayview.
In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to: Trinity Lutheran Church, Christ the King Church, or by Supporting the Donald Montrose Memorial Fund at the University of Washington
Making a gift online, https://www.washington.edu/giving/make-a-gift/?page=make&code=MONTRO
Making a gift by check, memo line to read Montrose Memorial Fund, and sent to the following:
Jessie Muhm
College of Engineering
University of Washington
Box 352180
Seattle, WA 98195
Questions/comments should be directed to Jessie Muhm, jmuhm@uw.edu or 206-685-7748
Make a gift | Give to the UW
www.washington.edu
Please share your thoughts and memories in the guestbook.
6 responses to Robert Orville White
Gale and Dot Ramerman says:
April 21, 2015
Remembering many good times with Bob at B.H.S. Fellow teacher and friend. Gale
Gregory T. Pitsch says:
April 21, 2015
Bob was a good friend and colleague of mine for many years. We taught and coached together at Bellingham High School. My thoughts and prayers go out to Kay and the rest of their family.
Frank Pitsch says:
April 21, 2015
Coach White will remain one of my best memories of Bellingham High School. Freshman football season.. the wrestling room,… and king of the one-liners. I was hurt in practice once. I had hit heads with another wrestler and it genuinely hurt. While lying there creating all the tragedy i could muster, so that others would know i had good reason to miss the next “go” of wrestling, he says to Coach Yonlick, “Coach, get a yard of dirt, we have to bury another one.” Initially i was thinking, “What a jerk. He doesn’t understand my pain.” But after a few seconds I was laughing. Hell, that’s funny. – tape an aspirin to it.
– looks like he has gum on his shoe
– get a wheelbarrow
– aw jeez (yep, just aw jeez)
Coach White lives on in the hearts of all his former students and athletes.
Joe Cleary says:
April 21, 2015
I am so sorry to hear about Coach White’s passing. He was such a wonderful person to me and many of my classmates and teammates on the BHS football and wrestling teams. Watching and listening to him banter back and forth with Coach West and Coach Yonlick was priceless. He was always kind and had the best dry wit. He was a good one and I’ll always remember him fondly. Rest in peace coach.Joe Cleary BHS ’86
R.R. says:
April 21, 2015
Losing someone we love is nothing easy, but knowing that we have been able to be a part of the life of that person, we can realize that we are blessed to have been able to share in their life before they went to rest. My sincere condolences. – Revelation 21:4- Jw.Org