Dr. James E. White, age 74, of Keuka Park, passed away at the Arnot-Ogden Medical Center in Elmira on Friday, January 15, 2010, with his family by his side.
Friends and family are encouraged to attend a memorial service for Dr. White at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20 at Norton Chapel at Keuka College. In lieu of flowers, contributions in honor of Dr. White may be made to the James E. White Scholarship Endowment Fund, c/o the Development Office, Keuka College, Keuka Park, NY 14478.
Jim was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., to Jean H. and Jean M. White on June 4, 1935. He lived in Punxsutawney,Pa. until his graduation from Punxsutawney High School in 1953. He received his BA from Dartmouth College in 1957 and his Ph.D .from Rutgers University in 1961. Jim married Cynthia Will in 1960. They shared a devoted union over 45 years until Cynthia’s passing in 2005.
Dr. White joined the faculty as a professor at Keuka College in 1962 and served as a beloved educator and mentor even after his retirement in 2008, returning to teach in the spring of 2009 as Professor Emeritus. He served as Chair of the Biology Department (Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics) from 1968 to 1997. Jim was also involved in and dedicated to the Keuka Park community, volunteering 45 years of active service with the Branchport- Keuka Park Fire Department. He served as the Fire Chief for 27 years, then as a Fire Commissioner. Most recently Jim was president of the department.
Jim is survived by his daughters, Wendy Ann (Scott Ryan) White-Ryan and Amy Lynn (Kenneth Sobel) White; grandchildren, Connor and Sarah Ryan, Ilana and Jack Sobel. Also surviving are his sister, Janet (Harlow) Fluevog and several nephews and his niece.
He was predeceased by his sister, Jean Ann Manfredo.
