Deceased July 17, 2010

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In Memory

“John had a wide, wide range of interests. You name it, he liked it,” reflects Helen White, speaking of her beloved husband of 56 years, John White ’53, who passed away from an ongoing heart condition July 17, 2010, near their winter home in Jensen Beach, Fla. Those interests and passions—from golf to gardening, volunteering to memberships and community involvements, kids to grandkids and more—were always matched by John’s undying love for the spacious summer home he and Helen shared in Lakewood, N.Y., on Lake Chautauqua.

            Near that summer home—just one week later—family and friends gathered to honor John’s memory—including Janet and Vic Mahler ’53, who also summer at Chautauqua; John’s best Amherst friend, Bob Brinker ’53; and Charles Tritschler ’51, a longtime family friend and supporter.

            John came to Amherst from New Trier High School, opting to major in history. He served in the U.S. Army in Korea, then earned an M.B.A. at the University of Michigan and spent his entire career as a pension actuary at The Wyatt Company, now Towers Watson. That career was cut short in 1987, when John retired after suffering a major heart attack the year before.

            John treasured his Amherst friendships and vice versa. He also treasured his Wolverines connection, a staunch member of the University of Michigan Victors Club for many years. Notes Bob Brinker, who hosted the Whites on one of his famed African safaris, “He was one of the nicest people I ever knew and one of the funniest. We miss him deeply.” Reflect Janet and Vic Mahler, “We are so grateful that John had 20-plus wonderful spring/summer/fall years on Lake Chautauqua, with lots of boating, campfires and camaraderie.”

            Besides Helen, John is survived by their daughter, Gay Meads, and her husband, Shawn, of Gahanna Ohio; their daughter-in-law, Becky White, of Columbus, Ohio, plus two grandchildren in Ohio and two in the Buffalo, N.Y., area.

            Readers are encouraged to post remembrances of any length to www.amherst.edu/magazine.

—Philip W. Ransom, Jr. ’53