Robert M. White

SIOUX CITY -- Robert M. White, 69, of Sioux City died Wednesday, June 22, 2011, at his residence with his loving family at his side. Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, June 25, 2011 at St. Michael Catholic Church in Sioux City, with the Rev. Gary Snyder officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, with military rites. Visitation will be 2 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a vigil service at 7 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com. Bob was born Sept. 1, 1941, in Sioux City, the son of Paul and Arlene (Axemaker) White. He grew up in Sioux City and after graduating from Bishop Heelan Catholic High School in 1960, he attended Iowa State University. In 1963, Bob joined the 185th Fighter Group of the Iowa Air National Guard. In January 1968, the 185th was placed on active duty. In May 1968, Bob, along with other members of the 174th Tactical Fighter Squadron, were sent to Phu Cat Air Base in the Republic of Vietnam. Bob was a liquid oxygen specialist, performing maintenance on F-100C Super Sabers that flew missions out of Phu Cat. For their stellar performance under difficult conditions, the 174th was awarded the prestigious Presidential Unit Citation. He married Mary Dinges on June 14, 1969, at St. Martin's Catholic Church in Odebolt, Iowa. They were blessed with eight children and 13 grandchildren. He enjoyed a special relationship with his mother-in-law, Kathleen Dinges after welcoming her into their home in 1976 until her death in 2008. Beginning in high school, he worked for A.H. Bennett Company, which became the WJ Company. He founded and operated his first company, White Industrial Insulation, for several years beginning in 1963. He was a member of Local 57 in the insulation trade. He then continued working for WJ Company until he and Mary founded R.M. White Company in 1981. They have proudly operated their business together for the past 30 years and they formed many bonds with their employees and numerous business friends. Being an avid sportsman, he was a lifetime member of the Paynesville (Minn.) Sportsman's Club, as well as the National Rifle Association. He cherished spending time with family and friends at their lake home in Minnesota, fishing, golfing and playing cards. Survivors include his wife, Mary of Sioux City; six sons and two daughters, Steve and Peggy White of Woodbury, Minn., and their daughter, Elizabeth, Rich and Lisa White of Sioux Falls, S.D. and their sons, Jack, Andy and Daniel, Bill White of Sioux City and his son, Ryan, Jeff and Michelle White of Sioux City and their children, Mike, Joe, Bob and Abby, Dan White of Sioux City, Jim White of Sioux City, Angie and Matt Robertson of Sioux City and their daughters, Olivia and Rianna, and Julie and Pat Gill of Sioux City and their son, Sean; his mother, Arlene White of Sioux City; and five sisters, Suzy and Dennis Doyle of Mill Valley, Calif., Kathy and Steve Ashby of Scottsdale, Ariz., Marcy Hoban of Tucson, Ariz., Debra and Scott Russell of Sioux City, and Cindy Anderson of Bentonville, Ark; two sisters-in-law, Colleen White of Okoboji, and Sandy White of Sioux City; and numerous nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul; three brothers, James, Michael and Ronald; his mother-in-law, Kathleen Dinges; and a granddaughter, Kathleen. Pallbearers will be his nephews, Brad, Kevin, Eric, Tom and Charles White, Randy, Jason and Craig Anderson and Alex Ashby. Memorials in his name may be made to Hospice of Siouxland, Siouxland Freedom Park, Trinity Heights, or Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools. Bob will be remembered by many as a very generous man and loyal friend.