Obituary of Robert H. White

Fr. Robert H. White, OFM Ringwood, NJ-- Fr. Robert H. White, OFM, a professed friar for 57 years and a priest for 52 years, died Monday (April 19, 2004) at Holy Name Friary in Ringwood, NJ where he had been a resident since March 2004. Born October 27, 1925 in Cornwall Heights, PA he was the son of Michael and Mary Braun White. He began his education at St. Charles Parochial School in Cornwall Heights and progressed to secondary education at St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia. He graduated from St. Joseph’s Minor Seminary in Callicoon, NY. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from St. Bonaventure University in 1948, a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from Catholic University of America in 1960 and did advanced graduate work at the University of Munich. Fr. Robert entered the Franciscan Order in 1945, professed perpetual vows in 1949 and was ordained a priest on June 29, 1951. Following his ordination, he was assigned to teach at St. Joseph Minor Seminary in Callicoon, NY and then to Bishop Timon High School in Buffalo, NY. From 1961-1967 he assisted the Armed Forces Chaplains in Europe. Fr. Robert joined the History Department at St. Bonaventure University in 1967 and served the St. Bonaventure University community for 33 years. In addition to his teaching duties he also served as a member of the Campus Ministry team and became active in the Marriage Encounter Movement. In 1981, Fr. Robert was elected Executive Chaplain by the National Marriage Encounter by its Board of Directors. He later wrote a history of the Marriage Encounter Movement which was published in 1998. He retired from teaching and continued to live at St. Bonaventure University Friary until June 2003 when he moved to St. Anthony Friary in Boston, MA. Before moving to Boston, there was a celebration for him at the University Friary where the friar community was joined by 50 invited guests to wish him well on his journey. Surviving are two cousins Harry Braun of Warminster, PA and Patricia Sack of Havertown, PA. Visitation will be at the St. Bonaventure University Chapel today from 7-8pm and Thursday (April 22, 2004) from 3pm until 5pm at which time a concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Burial services will take place at St. Bonaventure Cemetery on Friday at 9:30am. Arrangements are under the direction of the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, Olean.