In Memoriam The Reverend Dr. Robert A. White
October 29, 2024
It is with deep sorrow that we share news of the passing of the Rev. Dr. Robert A. White, 80, president of NBTS from 1985-1992.
Robert A. White was born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 24, 1944, the eldest child of Lester C. White and A. Lorraine (Erion) White. He spent his youth in Homewood, Illinois, with his brothers Donald and Glenn and sister Janet. In 1963, he met and fell in love with Jo Anne Kemink while a sophomore at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. Of his marriage to Jo Anne, his wife of 57 years, he often said, “It’s the best thing I ever did!”—but she knows it was really because of her family’s ham sauce recipe. On Friday, October 18, 2024, he passed away peacefully with his loved ones by his side, due to complications of pancreatic cancer.
Bob prepared for a life of ministry in the Reformed Church in America (RCA) at Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton New Jersey, Western Theological Seminary, Holland, Michigan, and Union Theological Seminary, New York City. Ordained by the Classis of Raritan in 1970, he served as pastor at Clover Hill Reformed Church, Flemington, New Jersey, from 1970 to 1975; at Pitcher Hill Reformed Church, North Syracuse, New York, from 1976 to 1980; and at First Reformed Church, Schenectady, New York, from 1992 until his retirement in 2006.
Between pastorates, he served the RCA as Minister for Social Witness from 1981 to 1985, providing resources for peacemaking, global justice and interfaith dialogue. This position gave him opportunities to meet with the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, leading groups of Christians to the former Soviet Union to promote US-Soviet church relations three times in the 1980s. In the spring of 1985, he was called to be President of NBTS, where he was a strong administrative leader and was honored to help direct the education of Christians as they prepared for ministry, often as a second career. He described NBTS as “an irreplaceable resource for theological education in the RCA and an ecumenical service to the larger church of Jesus Christ in the populous Mid-Atlantic region” n( Coakley, New Brunswick Theological Seminary: An Illustrated History, 1784-2014).
After retirement, Bob continued his life of ministry for several years, serving as the Interfaith Chaplain at Bethesda House, Schenectady, New York, and as the Interim Executive Director of the New York State Council of Churches. He thoroughly enjoyed resting from his life’s work, living peacefully in their cabin in the Adirondacks of New York. Bob’s favorite times were spent camping and canoeing in the Adirondacks, crafting furniture and birch bark frames in his garage workshop, and philosophizing around the grill with friends, especially Johan and Marie Bosman.
Bob and Jo Anne were blessed with two children. Their son, Erik E. White, survives him and is a great comfort to his mom and family during this time. Their daughter, Kristy, is now celebrating with her dad in heaven. Bob is also survived by his brother, Glenn White, and is predeceased by his parents, his brother, Donald White, and his sister, Janet Berkeley.
Jo Anne and Erik have great appreciation for the doctors and nurses at NYOH Amsterdam, NY, especially Dr. Maria A. De Jesus and those at St. Mary’s Hospital (4th floor) for their competence and compassion during this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Kristina White Memorial Fund at New Brunswick Theological Seminary, 35 Seminary Pl, New Brunswick, NJ 08901.
Memorial Service
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on November 9, 2024 at Christ Community Reformed Church, 1010 NY-146, Clifton Park, NY.
If you have any questions about the Kristy White Memorial Fund please contact Cathy Proctor, VP of Advancement at cproctor@nbts.edu or 848-237-2706.
Click here to donate to the Kristina White Memorial Fund at New Brunswick Theological Seminary
Checks can be made out to NBTS with Kristy White in the memo and mailed to:
New Brunswick Theological Seminary
35 Seminary Place
New Brunswick NJ 08901
.