Robert "Bob" R. White's Obituary
Robert "Bob" R. White of Riviera Beah, FL, left this world on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, to be with his Lord Jesus Christ, and to wait in eternity to again be with his beloved wife Doris Gail.
Bob White was born on the Erkins Estate on Tarpon Bend in Fort Lauderdale in 1933. His father Orville E. White, Sr. was Mrs. Erkins' chauffer at the time. His mother Rachel E. Stannard of South Dorest, VT, gave birth to three children in the garage apartment on the estate. The White family came from Minneapolis, Kansas, to Fort Lauderdale, FL, in the year 1911.
Bob graduated from Miami Technical High School where he studied radio communications. He served four years in the US Navy, and 32 years in the Naval Reserve where he retired as a Senior Chief Radioman. Concurrent with that, Bob was the Supervising Radioman at the AT&T High Seas Radio Station in Fort Lauderdale for 31 years. Upon retirement, Bob and his first wife Mary Francis Sprague of Whitman, MA, cruised the southeastern US coast and the Bahamas in their 41' sailboat, Quail. Mary Frances came down with lung cancer and passed away; they were married for 36 years.
Bob started a new era of his life when he met Doris Gail in the Sailing Singles of Fort Lauderdale. They cleaned up the Quail that had been abandoned for a year and a half, and she resumed cruising the east coast and the Bahamas. After about five years, Bob was diagnosed with spinal stenosis of the cervical. Surgery stopped the progression, but did not correct the damage that was done. They had to sell the Quail.
Bob and Doris bought a motorhome and toured the western US, putting 42,000 miles on the motorhome. It was sold and they made a decision to move to The Villages, where Doris could enjoy pickleball, cheerleading, and synchronized swimming. Bob practiced guitar at different venues in the area. In 2014, Bob and Doris took a cruise around the world on the ship Princendam.
In 2021, Bob and Doris moved to a condo in Riviera Beach because Bob wanted to go back home to Florida where it was warmer. He enjoyed having the water right outside his window where he could watch the boats go by every day. Bob's health started to deteriorate six months ago, and he was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer just one month ago. It took his life quickly.
Bob White is survived by his loving wife Doris; daughters Pamela L. Appollo (Michael), and Deborah B. Irmick (Daniel); grandchildren Dawn Marie Rogers, Michelle Irmick, Jeremy Irmick, Mike Appollo, Jr., Kyle Appollo, and Amy Appollo; numerous great-grandchildren; brother Richard L. White; and sisters Sandra Pitts and Sharon Lee Haywood.
Bob is preceded in death by his daughter Rachel Priest, brother Fred Rossi, and sister Mary Lou West.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bob's name to the Wounded Warrior Project by clicking HERE.
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