Richard Alan White

Richard Alan White

Richard White Obituary

Published by Vancouver Sun and/or The Province on Sep. 10, 2016.
Richard (Rick) Alan White February 21, 1964 - September 2, 2016 It is with our hearts in a million pieces we announce the sudden passing of Rick White on September 2, 2016. Rick will be deeply missed by his wife Shannon of 17 years, parents Jim and Marcia, sister Laura, brother Mark, Aunt Lee, brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, UBC colleagues, friends and board gaming buddies, and Mayer (the cat). An alumnus of the University of British Columbia, Rick received his Bachelor of Science with a major in mathematics in 1990 and his Masters of Science in Statistics in 1992. Never leaving UBC, he went on to work for the Department of Statistics after graduation doing the work he loved and was currently the Managing Director of the Applied Statistics and Data Science Group (formerly known as the Statistical Consulting and Research Laboratory). He will be remembered for his love of music (Rush super fan), his incredible knowledge of history and geography that he broadened in his travels with his wife, his weird and warped sense of humour, his Sunday bike ride adventures, and his analytical mind, but mostly his big heartedness and generosity to family and friends. A celebration of Rick's life will be held on Sat. Oct 1, 2016 from 2pm-5pm at the PoCo Inn And Suites Hotel, 1545 Lougheed Highway, Port Coquitlam. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the BCSPCA in his memory.

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October 14, 2016

Grace Chiu posted to the memorial.

October 4, 2016

Stewart King posted to the memorial.

October 4, 2016

Dade Cariaga posted to the memorial.

20 Entries

Grace Chiu

October 14, 2016

I only saw the sad news of Rick's passing today. I shall always remember his quirky sense of humor... His story about telling his partner in dance class, "Remember, I'm always White, and you're always Wong"... How he joked in the computer lab that I was typing so fast and loud as if I was just pretending to do work...

Stewart King

October 4, 2016

So sorry to hear about Rick's death. I always enjoyed meeting him for a game and solving the world's problems. He was a funny and interesting guy and he'll surely be missed. My condolences to his family

Dade Cariaga

October 4, 2016

Rick was a good friend and a gaming buddy. I will miss him. He was thoughtful, sincere, and kind. Very sad to learn of his passing.

Jim Zidek

October 3, 2016

With Rick's passing, we have lost a great friend and colleague. Gone too are his wisdom, knowledge and network of long-term clients and research collaborators he built over the years. He thus left a legacy that will live on in our memories and through it, contributions to the laying of the foundations on which our modern department was built. Jim Zidek (Former Head of Statistics at UBC)

Rich Jenulis

September 19, 2016

Rick may have been the most genuine person I have ever known. I looked forward to the seeing him each year for a game and engaging discussions where Rick was never shy about expressing his well-informed opinions. I admired Rick's truthfulness and good sportsmanship. I am grateful for the fond memories Rick left me.

Clay Howey

September 19, 2016

I've known Rick since grade 3. When our family moved to Glenrosa, he took me under his wing, showed me where to catch the bus, and invited me for a swim in the pool. Think the last time I saw Rick was when we drove out to Cultus Lake to spend a day at the waterpark. Very sad he's gone.

Caroline Tetreault

September 18, 2016

My sincerest condolences to Rick's family. He was one of the first people to befriend my brother and I when we moved to Westbank. He was quite a character in high school and it seems he kept that up after we lost track of each other as adults.

Elaine Salameh

September 15, 2016

Such a shock to hear of Rick's sudden passing. I worked in the Department of Statistics and enjoyed almost daily his quirky sense of humour and 'no holds barred' honesty. One of a kind certainly. My heartfelt condolences to his wife and family.

Geoff Conn

September 13, 2016

I met Rick through our mutual friend Rob Bottos at Bottoscon a few years back. We had a game together that first con. Our paths crossed infrequently but Rick was always intelligent and thoughtful, and even generous when I last saw him at dragonflight and we shared a room for which he paid for mostly. Shocked at his passing, he had more to give and live.

Rick and friends rehashing how to win World War 2

George Kelln

September 13, 2016

I was gobsmack to hear of Rick's sudden and unexpected death. I first heard of Rick when I lived in Winnipeg in the late 90's, Rick was the head of those slightly different ASL guys out on the West Coast - you know Brikenstock wearing bunch who never had to suffer through a Prairie winter. I personally (after moving out to Victoria)met Rick in 2005, while he was attending a game convention in Victoria - I thought to myself, nice guy, a bit different. About year or two later, after many emails and telephone calls, Rick convinced me to set up and run the West Coast Rumble ASL Tournament in Vancouver - that was 10 years ago. Since then, we have participated in many tournaments on the West Coast; I found Rick to be supportive friend who would help anyone out; he especially took the time to introduce new and younger players to all types of games to not just ASL - for this yeoman service - I know gamers and conventions on the West Coast have lost pillar in the community. I raise a glass of spirits in his honour, Rick you will be sadly miss.

Rachel (MacKay) Altman

September 13, 2016

I worked with Rick for a number of years at SCARL. He was such a character... I will always remember his brutal honesty, irreverent sense of humour, and his talent for both statistics and computing. I spent many lunch hours learning to play bridge from him. I am saddened and shocked by his sudden death and my heart goes out to his family.

Jinko Graham

September 13, 2016

My deepest condolences to Rick's family. Rick's quirky and kind ways and his honesty and sense of humour live on in my memories. Befriending Rick was definitely a highlight of my grad student years. We'll miss you, Rick!

Rhonda Rosychuk

September 13, 2016

I am so sorry to hear this news and my thoughts are with all of Rick's family and friends. I have fond memories of my time at UBC in the early 90's and being a student consultant with Rick.

Chris Carlsten

September 12, 2016

Like others, I am simply stunned. He was absolutely one of a kind. My heart goes out to family and friends.

Mark Merritt

September 12, 2016

God bless you and your family Rick, you left much too early. I'll miss you in Europe!!!

Len Zigante

September 12, 2016

I've only known Rick for a short while & had the opportunity to be instructed by him in how to play ASL. He was a very patient, intelligent, and kind fellow that I was looking forward to meeting and playing against again. I truly regret I never had the opportunity. My sincerest condolences to Rick's family and loved ones; his is a great loss.

Rob Bottos

September 12, 2016

The news of Rick's passing came as a sudden shock. Rick was more than just someone I played games with. Rick was a person I could talk to when I was troubled, and down on my luck. I never got a chance to tell Rick how much I appreciated his quiet work behind the scenes to help make BottosCon the successful boardgaming convention it has become. I'll miss Rick's unvarnished truth and steadfast love of his friends. He was a pillar of our community, and his passing will be greatly mourned. Deepest condolences from myself, Trish, and Tyler, as well as from everyone who attends BottosCon.

John Mundie

September 11, 2016

Please accept my most sincere and heartfelt condolences. Rick's sudden passing was a shock. I knew Rick about 25 years ago when I was studying at UBC for serveral years and he was just starting his career. We met thru playing our favourite game, ASL, and became friends. He was a true "renaissance man" : a statistician, weight lifter, ballroom dancer, wargamer, line dancer, all with his long flowing hair. He entertained my wife and I, with movies, dancing, dinner, and made our time in Van more enjoyable. We swapped pictures over the years, but my memories of Rick will always be of the that young, vibrant, crazy and kind friend from my university days.

Wishing you all the very best

Teresa Savard

September 10, 2016

Such a shock to hear of Rick's passing. Much love and prayers being sent to all the family. You are in our hearts at this very sad time.

Randy Lott

September 10, 2016

My heart goes out to "Rickys" family. So sorry and sad to hear this. I'll always remember Ricky with a huge smile on his face.

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October 14, 2016

Grace Chiu posted to the memorial.

October 4, 2016

Stewart King posted to the memorial.

October 4, 2016

Dade Cariaga posted to the memorial.