Red was born to Jasper “Jack” White and Millicent (Barnes) White in Norfolk, Virginia on July 8, 1943. His parents were both of Irish descent and gave him the middle name of Parnell after the Nationalist patriot. Red considered himself “of the sod” throughout his lifetime, visiting Ireland several times
Raised with his brother in northern Ohio, Red was a rabid Buckeyes fan while remaining a proud native Virginian. He attended school in Amherst (Ohio) where he was an outstanding student, “in the subjects that he liked”. He was a finalist for an appointment to the Air Force Academy, but upon graduation from high school in 1962 he entered Case Western Reserve.
He dropped out of college to enlist in the United States Marine Corps, where he proudly served as an Aircraft Avionics Technician, servicing F4’s and “occasionally stealing a ride in the back seat.” Red’s 14-month tour in Vietnam in 1967-68 included service during the Tet offensive at the Da Nang air base, after which he received a meritorious combat promotion to Sargent for “keeping the planes in the air.”
Upon his return to the States, he enrolled at Kent State University where he zipped through his undergraduate program straight to his doctorate in mathematics and economics. He was there to witness the student uprising and subsequent crackdown by the Ohio Guard.
Garrulous and detailed, he might tell you how a watch was made if you asked him for the time, yet he was a minimalist in other ways. His outgoing phone message: “This is Red.” His conversations ranged from esoteric to mundane. At one moment he’d hold forth on probability and uncertainty analysis and then turn to the latest basketball trade – always well versed and detailed in his opinions.
Red loved to wine and dine. He and Sue took advantage of Houston’s restaurant scene. And they loved to entertain small gatherings. True to her Cajun origins, Sue was a renowned cook. Red showed little interest in cooking and his comfort food was spaghetti with meatballs. His Subway sandwich was tuna, dry, on wheat. No cheese, no condiments, untoasted bun.
In 1974, Red was hired by the United States Department of the Interior’s Office of Minerals Policy as an Operations Research Analyst in Washington, DC. There he conducted research into methods for determining the economic potential of undiscovered mineral resources. He later was seconded to the Alaska Geological Survey in Anchorage where the focus of his research was the economic and environmental impact of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Red loved his time in Alaska where he learned to fly and spent many hours in Cook Inlet fishing for halibut.
Exxon Production Research Company recruited Red in 1984 to join their oil and gas assessment team. In the course if his career with Exxon and ExxonMobil in research, exploration and development, Red helped introduce concepts of economic analysis and decision science to the company’s already world-class resource assessment methodology. By the end of his time with ExxonMobil, Red “could speak geology and engineering almost like a native.”
Following his retirement from ExxonMobil, Red received a five-year appointment as an Operations Researcher with the United States Geological Survey to assist in their efforts to develop a “full cycle” value model for global oil and gas resources.
After his “real” retirement in 2008, Red continued with friends and colleagues to dabble in refining his full cycle economic model for oil and gas. He was, in addition, an avid photographer, world traveler (all seven continents), sports fan (Ohio State, Rockets and Texans on a good day), and, most importantly, dedicated husband and true friend to many.
Red is survived by wife Susan of Houston, brother Jeffrey and wife Karen of Alexandria, Virginia, nephew Brian and wife Marissa of Mountain Top, Pennsylvania, niece Jessica LaPointe and husband Ben of Atlanta, Georgia, great nieces Brianna White and Emery LaPointe and great nephews Dylan White and Bailey LaPointe. He also leaves many friends and colleagues around the world.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday August 22, 2020 at 1:00 pm at Heights Funeral Home, 1317 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX followed by burial at the Houston National Veterans’ Cemetery later.
In lieu of flowers, friends wishing to commemorate Red may raise a glass (Slainte! Preferably with Irish whiskey or Zinfandel) or send a contribution to the Marines’ Memorial Association, 609 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94102.
May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sunshine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields, and, until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand
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