Robert F. White, Jr., was the beloved son of the late Eleanor Mae Edwards White and Robert Frederick White, Sr.
He was born June 6, 1957, in Hartford, CT, and leaves his beloved wife, Juanita Nuuja White and two beloved sons, William and Christopher. He leaves his sisters: Jocelyn White Conforti, Julie White and Jennifer K. White, MD.
The first years of Bobby's life were spent in Stonington, CT, on Flanders Road, where little Bob watched and "helped" Bob, Sr., remodel, repair, build and create. The move in 1963 to the family home in Charlestown, R.I., brought more room and more opportunity to explore and tinker with all things natural and mechanical. What remains today, as the White family home, the Charlestown abode and surrounding land and sea, witnessed Bobby develop his skills as car mechanic, dam builder, farmer-both gardens and chickens, tree house builder, go cart designer, hovercraft creator, jack of all trades fixer, skier – both water and snow, cross country runner, and much more. A busy and active life was had in R.I., with sisters, mom and dad, and a large extended family that were welcomed each Fourth of July holiday for an expansive and boisterous family gathering by the sea.
Bobby graduated from Chariho Regional High School in 1975, Thames Valley Technical School in 1977, and Northeastern University with a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering. He made an impression on his classmates for his willingness to help, the wide scope and depth of his knowledge, and his unique sense of humor. While at Northeastern University, Bob completed internships with Electric Boat in Groton, CT, and was hired as an engineer by the company upon his graduation. Bob, Sr., worked for Electric Boat, as well, so father and son engineers spent a number of years in lively discussions and debates about both the solutions of submarine production concerns, and ideas for improvements.
Twenty-eight years ago Bob married Juanita Nuuja, also an engineer, in Ohio. Juanita and he were delighted to welcome two sons, William and Christopher. With his move, with his family, into the southern part of the country, Mississippi and Texas, Bobby developed an appreciation for the warmer climate and the special opportunities and experiences that the region offered him. Over the years, Bob worked with Ingalls Shipbuilding, Exmar Offshore, Worley Parsons, Intec Sea, and Thrust Master companies.
Bobby was an intelligent and hardworking man who cared passionately about doing things well. He was not adverse to taking on unique challenges, whether that was a submarine or oil rig in his professional life or helping a friend in need in his personal life. His family recalls the tenderness and intensity with which he attended to his terminally ill mother. Bobby left this world too early and unexpectedly on March 30, 2014, at his home in Katy, Texas. He is, and will be sorely missed by many.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 19th, at 1pm at The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Historic downtown Mystic.