Paul Geltmacher White

Paul Geltmacher White, Jr, age 95 of Portsmouth, RI passed away on July 19, 2025 of natural causes. His parents were Estelle and Dr. Paul White. He was married to Georgia Joan White in 1952 after graduating from the United States Naval Academy.

Paul grew up in Pomona, California and graduated from Pomona High School. After graduation, he was nominated for the Naval Academy by Richard Nixon. Paul's lifelong interest in science aided him in winning the Daughters Of The Confederacy Physics prize for physics. Paul graduated from the Naval Academy with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering.

As a junior officer, Paul's first naval assignment was on a picket destroyer patrolling the North Korean peninsula during the Korean War. In 1959, he attended the U.S. Naval Postgraduate school, studying physics and graduated with an M.S. in Physics.

In 1962, Admiral Hyman Rickover recommended him for Submarine School which then took the family on a whirlwind tour of moving to different submarine related schools - sometimes moving every six months. In 1966, his first duty submarine was the SSN SNOOK, based in San Diego. After his tour of duty ended, Paul joined the crew of SSBN GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER as Executive Officer. In 1970, Paul assumed command of SSBN THOMAS JEFFERSON.

Subsequent to his command, he was transferred to Offutt Air Force base in Omaha, attached to the JSTPS staff. The next duty station for Paul was to the Washington D.C. area to work on a light anti-submarine torpedo development program.

Paul retired after 25 years of service in 1977 and resided in Portsmouth to work for the Aquidneck Data Corporation. He enjoyed sailing, building computers, astronomy, and watching the Red Sox.

Paul's wife, Joan, died in 2020. He is survived by his children Paul, Leslie, and Kirk; his grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday July 24,2025, from 9:00 am -10:30 am, at the Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth. Burial services with military honors will follow at 12 pm, RI Veteran's Memorial Cemetery, Exeter, RI.

Online Tribute at www.memorialfuneralhome.com