WHITE: Robert "Bob" E. White, 100, passed away peacefully in his home on Tuesday, July 2, 2024. Born in Washington State, as an infant he was crowned with the title of Most Beautiful Baby in Spokane Valley. He joined the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II at the age of seventeen; a decision he said probably kept him from going down a rough path. While serving, he became a pilot, graduating in the top 10% of his class. He was able to test pilot many of the new planes coming out during WWII. While stationed in Harlingen, Texas, Bob traveled to California for training when a chance encounter at a USO dance changed his life forever. That is where he met and was smitten by a local gal named Eunice Burkett. Throughout his time in California, Bob sought out every opportunity to court Eunice, even if it meant "borrowing" a plane a time or two.

After Bob returned to Texas, they began a long-distance relationship by writing letters back and forth to each other. Unbeknownst to Bob and Eunice, Eunice's mother began intercepting and destroying the letters between the young couple. Mama Burkett did not approve of this tall goodlooking officer trying to steal her daughter away. She wanted Eunice to marry a local boy who was from a wealthy family and owned a string of grocery stores. After many months with no communication between each other, Bob & Eunice each thought the other had moved on. Eunice even went so far as to go ahead and get engaged to the local boy. One day, Bob was going through his little black book and came across Eunice's name and address. He still had some deep feelings for her and decided to send her one final letter. Meanwhile, Eunice had taken a job in a nearby town at the telephone company and was living with her aunt. The postman from her hometown knew where she was living, so he took it upon himself to just forward that letter on to Eunice at her aunt's home. To say Eunice was surprised to get the letter was an understatement as she had never really gotten over her feelings for Bob. She talked to her fiancé and explained that she needed to see Bob just one more time to make sure she was over her feelings for him and then she promised she would come back home and marry her fiancé. With her family convinced that she and her fiancé were eloping, Eunice and her fiancé drove to Texas, but only as far as the base where her fiancé was stationed. After that, Eunice had to travel on her own to the base where Bob was stationed. Bob received a telegram with the time she would arrive in town, but without stating whether she was traveling by bus or train. The train station was at one end of the main road and the bus station was on the opposite end. Bob spent a tense couple of hours frantically running back and forth between each station, waiting for the love of his life to arrive. Even with the miscommunication, when Bob and Eunice locked eyes from across the street, they knew they couldn't go another day apart.

They were married four days later by the Chaplain on base on June 6, 1945, and had their first daughter, Connie Lou, in 1946. Bob left the military, as the war was winding down and he wanted to be able to devote more time to being a husband and father. Bob worked as an electrician, but never forgot his love of flying.

Shortly after, Bob and Eunice were baptized as Jehovah's Witnesses and became full-time missionaries. The three of them spent many years together pioneering in South Dakota and Montana. In 1959 they wanted to settle down in a warm climate. The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society sent them to a small congregation in Silver City, New Mexico, where Bob was appointed by the Society to be its Congregation Servant three months before they had even arrived. Bob and Eunice worked hard to grow and encourage the small congregation of about 20 people. Bob's leadership and organizational skills and Eunice's joy of loving people made them a perfect team.

In 1961, they were surprised by the arrival of their second daughter, Roberta Susan who they immediately nicknamed "Bobbi Sue". While continuing in his missionary work, Bob worked as an electrician at Chino Mine, then owned by Kennecott Copper Corp. He retired in 1985, after 25 years. In retirement, Bob spent his days traveling with Eunice and sharing his faith in Jehovah. He could often be found tinkering in his garage, where his grandchildren learned that their grandfather could fix anything.

After 66 ½ years of marriage, his beloved Eunice passed away and Bob found himself at a loss. As the days grew quiet, Bob kept busy building models of the airplanes he had flown and advanced to mechanical wooden marble runs and music boxes. Until the end, he had a quiet sense of humor and was quick with a witty quip. Bob was a strong, loyal husband and a loving, supportive father who adored his daughters. With his love of Jehovah, his family was his life. His daughters will always be proud of the wonderful example of love their father set for them.

Robert E. White was preceded in death by the love of his life, his beloved wife, Eunice I. White.   He was also preceded by his son-in-law, Richard Walling; He is survived by his daughter Connie White Walling; and his daughter Bobbi White Armstrong (Rich). He is also survived by six grandchildren, Michael Armstrong (Kristin), Shayla Roseberry (Nick), Robert Armstrong (Kelly), Melody Mackey (David), Melissa Cotter (Craig) and Justin Peta (Heidi), as well as thirteen great-grandchildren. A virtual service celebrating Bob White's life and great faith in Jehovah God will be held at a future date with family and friends.

Cremation will take place at Terrazas Crematory.  Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels and Crematory "Trusted care for the ones you love" ~ 575-537-0777.  To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com .