Robert Wesley White

14 hours ago(0) CommentsFRENCHTOWN – Robert Wesley White died at home Monday, May 20, 2013.

Born March 13, 1928, in Columbus, Ohio, Robert was the second son of two boys born to Maurice and Hazel White.

After graduating from high school, Robert enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served for eight years. While in the Navy, he obtained a pilot's license and graduated from Ohio State University with a bachelor's degree in agriculture. He received his master's degree from the University of Arizona.

Robert started working for the Arizona Game and Fish Department in 1956, where he became Region 1 supervisor. Robert worked for the game department for 21 years. In 1980, he received the U.S. Forest Service 75th Anniversary Award for his outstanding contributions in pursuing the blind elk problem on the Sitgreaves National Forest.

Robert and Beverly White were married Jan. 26, 1965, in Gallup, N.M. The wedding bands they wore for 43 years were handcrafted by a Navajo artisan and were made from the same piece of silver.

Bob and Bev owned and operated Broken Arrow Lodge in Lakeside, Ariz., and the Mulberry Bush Antiques, in Pinetop, Ariz. In 1977, Bob retired from the Arizona Game and Fish. Bob and Bev ranched for 30 years in Wyoming and Moiese until their retirement in 2007.

Robert was predeceased by his grandparents; parents; older brother, Jack; and his beautiful wife, Beverly.

He is survived by his children, Larry White (Mari), George Rider (Cindy), Laura Rider Callaway (Ray) and Jack White (Raina); 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.

Bob also is survived by a wonderful community of friends and neighbors in Frenchtown. He especially looked forward to lunch at Eugene's and visiting the bank.

Bob was a lifelong Christian and member of the Valley of Christ Lutheran Church in Frenchtown, where memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 29; followed by interment of both Bob and Bev in the veterans cemetery in Missoula at 1 p.m.

Sunset memorial Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.

Read Robert White's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.