Richard Earl White

U.S. Army Maj. Richard Earl White (Ret.) of Phoenix passed away at home on January 28. Born on March 15, 1928 in Michigan City, Indiana, Richard was the oldest of six children raised by Earl and Angeline White in Middleville, Michigan. He graduated from Middleville Thornapple Kellogg High School in 1946, joined the Michigan National Guard and graduated from the University of Michigan where he met Ann Townsend whom he married in 1953. They had five children. The Army became Richard’s passion and career for the next 20 years, where he served in Germany and Korea in the military intelligence and as Company Commander; in two Vietnam tours in the Parrots Break region near the Cambodian border; and in seven states from Georgia to Hawaii. He was a paratrooper, Green Beret and Special Forces officer. He retired from the military in 1971 at his last post in Oregon, and was a life member of the American Legion Post 29 and Disabled American Veterans, life member and past Commander of VFW Post 285, and proud member of West Michigan Alumni Association. A lifelong patriot, Richard served and sacrificed proudly for our country. Richard was a perpetual student who continued to pursue a variety of interests and vocations. In addition to a business administration degree from the University of Michigan, he earned an Associate Technology degree from NW Missouri State University; and a Master’s degree in Business Education/ Real Estate form City College University of Seattle. His vocations include life insurance, real estate and teaching business education at Pan American University in Texas. Richard traveled extensively throughout the fifty states, Europe, Japan and Australia; he ran marathons, scuba diver off Catalina Island and the Florida Keys and studied archeology. Richard, twice divorced, relocated to Phoenix in the early 90’s and married Carolyn Siebrand in 1993. He is survived by Carolyn; children Margaret (Mike) Rice, Richard (Kim) White, Ruth White, Thomas White, Ellen White, Mary (Robert) King, Sara Broussard; grandchildren Kyle White, Cameron White, Alden White, Alysha Morrison, Marquise King, Shawnice King, Jasmine King; great grandchild Cole Carson; sisters Jeanette Prominski, Mary Slown, Frances (Mike) Hansen and brother Leslie (Thora) White. A visitation will take place at Chapel of the Chimes Mortuary 7924 N. 59th Ave in Glendale Wednesday February 8 from 10:00 am to 12 noon followed by a military burial at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona at 2:00 pm.