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Michael White Obituary
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Born on August 5, 1939, Michael enriched the lives of those around him with his wit, generosity, charisma, and loving nature. Throughout his prolonged illness, he put others before himself and enriched their lives until the very end.
Michael lived a rich and full life. He graduated from Evanston Township High School in 1957 and then Williams College in 1961. After graduation, he married his high school sweetheart, Lynn (Scott) White. Subsequently, he became a successful advertising executive, beginning his career at Leo Burnett and ending his career with DDB Needham Worldwide, then retired early at age 57. Retirement didn't slow him down, volunteering with the International Executive Service Corps, serving in Jakarta, Indonesia as well as Armenia. He then went on to teach at DePaul University. He had varied interests and hobbies, including gardening, birdwatching, and building birdhouses, and working on model trains. A lifelong fan of all sports, he especially loved watching and closely following the Chicago Cubs MLB team and every level of the Cubs minor league affiliates. He served as a vestry member and Warden at The Church of the Holy Spirit, in Lake Forest, IL.
Above all, Michael loved his family, who benefited greatly from the love, generosity and guidance he provided throughout his life.
Michael is predeceased by his parents, Jack and Virginia (Perkins) White. He is survived by his wife, Lynn (Scott) White; children Scott (Kathleen) White, Christopher (Lesley) White, and Linden White; grandchildren Jessica, Alex, Aidan, and Owen White; and brother Richard "Rick" White.
A celebration of Michael's life was held at 2pm on May 11, 2024 in the Chapel at Lake Forest Place, 1100 Pembridge Drive, Lake Forest, IL 60045.
Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research, 320 W. Ohio Street, Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60654 or online at www.stopsarcoidosis.org.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
2 Entries
Jim Barr
November 20, 2024
I go way back to Evanston High School with Mike, as does my wife, Shirley (Lindsay) Barr. Then the college years came and we all went different directions. However, Mike and I reconnected at the Leo Burnett Company. I was a copywriter and he was a media guy. Neither of us knew the other was working there until one day when we bumped into each other on the elevator.
Mike went on to have a great career in the advertising business and I followed it with pride. It just felt good to have a solid, likable guy like Mike become so successful.
RIP, old friend.
Jim and Shirley Barr
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Mark Anderson
November 17, 2024
I got to know Mike while I was writing a biography of his lifelong friend Don Boodel. Mike carefully helped describe what growing up in Evanston was like. He knew how fortunate he was to live in such a period of time surrounded by a loving family and great friends who inspired him and memorable events. I know he did great things in his career, but he was humble about his accomplishments. I met him in 2020 at his home in Woodstock where he welcomed me and we had another great visit, talking about his life, and the importance of friendship. I am sure he had a positive impact on many, many people. Although our time together was brief, I was one of them.
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