Robert L. White
Robert L. White
Robert L. White
January 26, 1933 – December 20, 2012
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 79
Robert L. White, 79, of Oskaloosa, died Thursday, December 20, 2012, at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City. He was born January 26, 1933, in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Rufus James and Geraldine Perry White. While in high school Bob was a very gifted athlete he earned all-state honors in both wrestling and football. He graduated from North High School in Des Moines with the class of 1952. He also participated in boxing while in high school. On October 12, 1952, he was united in marriage to Betty Ritzman in Des Moines. Early on Bob went to work for Iowa Power and Light as a tree trimmer; he retired from there as a journeyman in 1995, after 42 years and 3 months of service. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan; he especially enjoyed watching the football, wrestling, and basketball teams. He had a lifelong love of fishing; he had some favorite local fishing holes, however he also enjoyed over thirty consecutive years of fishing trips to Trout River Lodge in Canada. These trips where always enriched by the company of Betty, his grandsons and friends. He delighted in spending time with his family; he was a faithful and encouraging spectator at many of his grandchildren and great grandchildren’s events. He was a member of the Evangelical Church in Oskaloosa, and a proud member of the I.B.E.W. #499. He and Betty also enjoyed volunteering at Share Iowa and End of the Month Meals.
His family includes his wife of over 60 years, Betty White of Oskaloosa; two daughters, Rhonda (& Doug) Callison of Oskaloosa and Cathy White-Rice of Cordova, Tennessee; five grandchildren, Ryan (& Dana) Rice, Justin (& Lea) Rice, Angela (& Travis) Miller, Brad (& Julie) Boender, and Gabriel Rice; eight great grandchildren, Aubrey, Tyler, Trey, Jacob, Collin, Emily, Alice, and Avery; and a brother, James (& Susie) White of Midlothian, Virginia.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Larry Robert Rice; and a sister in infancy, Beverly White.
Funeral services will be held Monday, December 24, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Reverend Dr. Bruce Moyer officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Sunday morning after 10 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 2-4 Sunday afternoon to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to Share Iowa or End of the Month Meals in Oskaloosa.
