Jeff White

Obituary of Jeff White Jeff W. White of Bryn Mawr, PA passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. Bursting with energy and enthusiasm for life, Jeff was a dreamer and doer who impacted many people in his 87 years. He made friends readily and enthusiastically and was known for his positive spirit. Those who knew him well note that even in the direst of circumstances, if asked how he was doing, Jeff invariably replied, "Fantastic!" Jeff was married to Donna Flagg White for just short of 60 years. They were longtime residents of Radnor, PA before moving to Beaumont at Bryn Mawr, where they have lived for the past three years. Jeff was born in Iowa Falls, Iowa on February 12, 1938, the son and first child of the late Don and Lillian (Edwards) White. Named Jerry, he later took the name Jeff. In 1942, he became a big brother to Janice Marie White, now Jan Carlsson-Bull of Middletown, CT. Jeff graduated from Carroll High School in Iowa in 1956, then Iowa State University in 1960, where he was an enthusiastic member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and participated in NROTC (Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps). After college, he served as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy in Sasebo, Japan. Jeff's service in the Navy and specifically in Japan was formative in his life. He later taught his kids basic greetings and numbers in Japanese and liked to surprise Japanese tourists with a bit of conversation in their native tongue. He also acquired his first sailboat on that stint in Sasebo, which ignited a lifelong passion for sailing and the sea. Upon his return to the United States, Jeff headed east to earn an MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. He met Donna at a Jersey Shore beach bar over Memorial Day weekend in 1965, and they were married five months later. Jeff was a captivating and persuasive storyteller, a trait which helped him find great success as Founder and CEO of American Financial Group. Ever creative and not shy to share new ideas, Jeff had many clients who became friends for life and he won recognition from financial industry organizations. While a proud American, Jeff was a citizen of the world. His and Donna's sense of adventure took them and their family to many wonderful places, from sailing on the Chesapeake Bay and the Virgin Islands, to extensive world travel, to exploring local restaurants - preferably BYOB so he could bring his own wine from his ever-growing collection (just no spicy food please!). They would often travel without itinerary or reservations, open to whatever experiences would present themselves. In one instance, Jeff and Donna quickly grabbed their luggage and hopped off the train on a whim because the Swiss town they were passing through looked so picturesque. Jeff owned a series of sailboats that he took up and down the East Coast, and even won cruising trophies in the 2005 Marion-Bermuda and the 2006 Newport-Bermuda yacht races. Over many decades he and Donna had successive vacation homes in Stowe, VT, St. John, USVI, and finally Palmas Del Mar, Puerto Rico. In each location they made new friends and generously shared their space with family and friends, creating fabulous memories along the way. Family time was always a favorite. For milestone birthdays he and Donna preferred an adventure with the family to a party. Jeff adored his grandchildren, teaching them numbers and math when they were small and introducing them to investing as they became young adults. In his 50's he returned to golf, which he had played in college. He and Donna are longtime members of Merion Golf Club. As with everything, Jeff used golf as a vehicle to make wonderful friendships and explore new places. He was also a Life Member of the Union League of Philadelphia and was active in volunteer work focused on youth in Philadelphia. Jeff succumbed to sudden heart failure and passed away surrounded by his family on Tuesday, August 12. A ceremony of interment was held for family on August 19 at Washington Memorial Chapel Cemetery, King of Prussia, PA. Jeff is survived by his wife, Donna, daughter Stephanie "Tenny", son-in-law Bill McCullough, grandchildren Nicole and Casey of Bryn Mawr, PA; son Todd White, daughter-in-law Jennifer Stella, grandchildren Bryndon and Lilliana of Vermont and New Hampshire; sister Jan Carlsson-Bull, brother-in-law Daniel Bull, and nieces Shana, Sarah and Lisa; and nephew Kenneth, son of his late brother-in-law Robert Flagg. Contributions honoring Jeff's life may be made to: The Beaumont Fund, 601 North Ithan Ave., Bryn Mawr, PA 19010.