Alvin S. White

Alvin White Obituary

Alvin S. White age 87, of Oro Valley, Arizona, died on Saturday April 29, 2006 after a brief illness. Born December 9, 1918 to Harold H. White, Sr. and Ruth A. (Winkleman) White, in Berkeley, California. A pilot for over 60 years, Al began his flying career in the Civilian Pilot Training Program, receiving his Private Pilot license in 1940. During World War II he flew bomber escorts and strafing missions over Europe with the 355th Fighter Group from D-Day through V-E Day. After the war, he completed his degree in Mechanical Engineering and went on to become an engineering test pilot for the U.S. Air Force and North American Aviation. Al participated in a variety of flight test programs over his career, including the F-86 Sabre jet, the F-100 Super Sabre series, the F-107 and the X-15. In 1961 he was elected Chief Test pilot for the flight test program of the XB-70 Valkyrie, the world's largest supersonic aircraft, piloting the first flights of both planes and taking the aircraft through the build up programs to flight at Mach 3. In 1966 Al joined TWA as Manager of Flight Operations, Research and Development. In 1969, he became a consultant in the field of aviation and aeronautics, working primarily as an expert witness in accident investigation litigation, requiring simulation of accident flight conditions in a comparable aircraft. A past President and founding member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, Al earned some of the top awards for his profession, including the Iven C. Kinchloe award, the Octave Chanute Award, and the Harmon Trophy, which was presented by President Lyndon B. Johnson. After 8500 hours of flying time in over 125 different aircraft, Al retired from the ranks of active pilots and settled in Tucson, Arizona. Al is survived by his wife, Betty J. of Tucson; his brother Harold H. White, Jr. of Auburn, CA; son, Stephen and daughter-in-law, Donna White of Sacramento, CA, daughter, Cathie (White) Deisher and grandson, Christopher Farrar of Fleetwood, PA, daughter, Leslie White Hester, son-in-law, Les Hester and grandson, Andrew Hester of North East, MD, as well as step-daughter, Karen Tomsett of Seattle, WA, step-son, Edward Tomsett of Tucson, and step-daughter and son-in law, Kimberly and Dan Aurand and daughters, Brittany and Taylor of Spokane, WA. Memorial Services will be conducted on Thursday, May 4 at 11:00 a.m., Vistoso Community Church, 1200 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd., Oro Valley, Arizona. The family has requested that no flowers be sent.

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Published by Arizona Daily Star on May 3, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Alvin White

14 Entries

Zuzana Semkova

December 7, 2006

Unfortunatelly, I have no chance to meet Al White personally, so I want to say only: Goodbye, Al.. And have a nice fly..

Stephen Gomes

June 8, 2006

Dear Mrs. White and Family,
My Name is Stephen Gomes. It is with profound sadness that I recently learned of the passing of Mr. Al White. I very briefly met Al in the late 80's when he vistited the North American B-1B production facility in Palmdale California. This past February I wrote Al, requesting a copy of his autobioghraphy, which he promply sent and graciously signed for me. I will treasure it always. My wife and I send our condolences and sincerest sympathy. Mr. Al White was a gentleman, a great American, and a extraordinary pilot who contributed significantly to the advancement of aviation. He will be greatly missed.
Most Respectfully,
Steve Gomes

Fred Maryon

May 19, 2006

I met Al at the 355th.FG association reunion in Tucson. I shall remember him with affection and pride having read of his exploits during WWII and after as a test pilot.

My condolences to his wife and family.

Fred Maryon

Secretary Aircrew association - North Herts

Naomi Jefferson Prior

May 7, 2006

So sorry to see the passing of my high school friend, Al, class of '35.

Harry Dardio

May 6, 2006

Dear Betty & Family,

6 MAY 2006,

My name is Harry Dardio. I first met you and Al back in 2001 when you all visited the Museum in Dayton, Ohio. Al was kind enough to take me up into the cockpit of the XB-70. He was so considerate! Afterwards he was kind enough to answer many of my questions. I will forever treasure the kindness shown to me by you & Al. You all will be in my prayers. Thanks for the memories, Al. May you always fly at Mach 3 !

Harry Dardio

XB-70 Enthusiast

Julius & Judy Moseley

May 6, 2006

Al, we all will miss you. It has been a pleasure to know you, to serve our country together and to be your friend for 60+ years. May you rest in peace.

Charles Hannan

May 4, 2006

It is with profound reflection and regret that I learn of the passing of one of my boyhood heros, a shining lamp and a brilliant star; one of Aviation's true giants and someone every pilot would want as his side always, especially at times of peril. Farewell, Al!

Fred J Ascani

May 4, 2006

As the System Program Director for the XB-70, I had the utmost confidence that Al would take the aircraft to the extreme performance points. He was eminently qualified to be the test pilot on this billion dollar aircraft. Only Al and the XB-70 got to Mach 3 plus in the manned aircraft category.

A tremendous achievement!

Raymond Leach

May 4, 2006

Al, we met at one of the 355th FGA reunions here in the UK. It was a pleasure, albeit brief, to have met and talked with you. Happy landings.

Ray Leach

Sqn Ldr MBE BA MIMgt RAF Ret'd.

Cambridge

United Kingdom

Tony Engberg & Sallysue Stein

May 3, 2006

"Man must rise above the Earth – to the top of the atmosphere and beyond – for only thus will he fully understand the world in which he lives." - Socrates

Thanks for helping us all to better understand.

David & Lorinda Crow

May 3, 2006

What a great honor to have known this man and listened to his many incredible stories. The 355th Fighter Group has lost another great member

Sandy Sharp-Devine

May 3, 2006

Dear Betty & Ed,

I am so sorry to hear of Al's passing. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and the entire family. I shared the information with Lili Howard who still lives in Tucson and she sends her most sincere condolences. With sympathy, Sandy

Dale Burton

May 3, 2006

Enjoyed Al White so very much when he visited The PIMA AIR & Space Museum where I was a volunteer for 7 years. He was a part of one of our presentations speaking on the F-107 and XB-70. We do have an F-107 on display that he flew. I do have a picture of him and I in my PASM album but have no way of sending it. If you could send me an address I will send you one. We should all thank God for wonderful people like him that has given so much to our country.

We left Tucson in Nov. and now live in the Prescott Valley.

With fondest memories,

Dale

Susanne White Huff

May 3, 2006

"Uncle Al" you will be fondly remembered and greatly missed even tho not often seen. Betty, Steve, Cathie and Leslie please know that my thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time. Please keep in touch. Love, Susie

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