Robert Gannon White

White, Robert Gannon (of Chevy Chase, MD, Needham MA, and Milton, MA)

November 30, 1930 - August 15, 2022

Robert Gannon White passed away on August 15th in Chevy Chase, Maryland, joining his late wife Barbara, after relaying to daughter Sarah that he was getting ready for a "boat trip" and needed to pack his "tennis racket." He was ninety-one years old.

Born on November 30,1930 in Quincy, MA to Allan White and Mary Esther Kelley, Bob was raised in Milton with his three siblings Allan, Donald, and Audree. The family ran the White Brothers Milk Company, delivering fresh milk to homes by Clydesdale horse. Bob attended Milton Academy, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service (1952), and The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania (1957). He was a proud Navy Air Intelligence Officer in the Korean War, serving on the USS Wasp and the USS Coral Sea aircraft carriers (1953-1954). A respected member of the Blue Bolts squadron, "short, stocky" Bob earned the nickname "Dirty" White to distinguish him from his "tall, lanky" shipmate Bob "Lily" White.

Fresh out of business school, Bob returned to Boston in the late 1960s to join his brothers in transforming the family milk business into a regional ice cream and frozen food company called Hendries. Hendries was best known for its novelties on a stick (e.g., the York Peppermint Patty Bar and the Minute Maid Orange Popsicle) and producing private label ice cream for Stop and Shop and Benihana. The ice cream was sold throughout New England and beyond. Bob acted as both President of Hendries and Chairman of New England Frozen Foods cold storage in Southborough before retiring in 2003.

As a young bachelor in Boston, Bob was active in the Sitzundjibers Social Club and with a distinctive "dance floor shuffle" earned the attention of Barbara Brett. The couple married in 1963 and moved to Milton, raising their four children in a historic yellow house on Canton Avenue. As a family man, Bob enjoyed summers on Cape Cod and weekends in Waterville Valley, NH teaching his children to ski. Known on the slopes for his thrifty ways, Bob won an award from his ski club for being "the most poorly dressed." Members once took up donations to replace an ancient bulky blue jacket, a distinctive white "banana" hat and an infamous pair of red ski pants, joking that Bob had taken to extremes to save for his children's college tuition.

Bob was an athlete who brought the intensity from his high school wrestling years to a lifetime of sport. He spent years on the tennis and squash ladders at Longwood Cricket Club and The University Club. More recently, he found his Fitbit a worthy competitor, logging daily steps at North Hill in Needham and proudly reporting his step counts to his children. Bob was known to be as religious about his workouts as he was to his daily regimen of a tall glass of 100% whole milk at noon sharp, which his family credits to his long run on the playing field.

Bob generously donated his time and energy to the greater Milton community and Boston area. He served as a member of the Milton Town Hall for more than 35 years and was the Director/Executive Committee Member of Milton Hospital for over a decade. He and Barbara enjoyed many years of overseas travel, memorable events, and friendship through his membership in the Young Presidents' Organization and then later with the Forum Group for "old timers."

His steadfast positive outlook was evident to everyone around him. Bob adhered to a strong moral code of respect to all people. Always at the ready with a compliment, he saw the accomplishments (no matter how small) and adventures of the people in his life as "wonderful" or "terrific," and often even both.

Most of all, Bob (aka, "Grandpa Robbie") was devoted to his family, supporting his children and grandchildren in all their endeavors. He was often called on as a trusted advisor and problem solver for family members and in the spirit of Milton Academy, always "dared to be true." A good natured, if not always willing, participant in family pranks, his great sense of humor and dry wit will be missed.

Bob is survived by sister Audree Parr of Erie, PA, and four children, Julie Watkins White of Washington DC, (spouse Todd Watkins), Jennifer White Horowitz of Mill Valley, CA (spouse Robert Horowitz), Sarah White Bournakel of Park City, UT (spouse Gadi Shamah and Stefan Bournakel dod 2004) and Robert Gannon White Jr. of Gainesville, FL (spouse Pilar Useche); and eight grandchildren - Samara Watkins, Avery Watkins, Nicos Bournakel, Charlie Horowitz, Teo Shamah, Sofia White, Benjamin White, and Ana White.

Visiting hours will be held at the Eaton Funeral Home, 1351 Highland Ave, Needham, MA on Friday September 2 from 4-7 PM. A mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph's Church, 1360 Highland Ave, Needham on Saturday, September 3 at 10 AM. Interment to follow at Milton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bob's name may be made to Neighborhood Charter House School Foundation 197-A Centre Street Dorchester, MA 02124.