Robert “Bob” Dean White, 85, passed away on March 28, 2019. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri on August 22, 1933, to Eugene White and Helen (McKinzie) White. On December 22, 1954, he married the love of his life, Barbara Jean (Sipes), and they were fortunate to spend 64 years together.
Bob graduated from Northeast High School in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1951. He attended Junior College before entering the Air Force Aviation Cadet Program. He graduated in March 1955, Class 55K. Upon graduating and receiving his wings, he was commissioned into the United States Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant and began his pilot career for the next 20 years. Upon retirement from his last assignment in Colorado Springs, he and Barbara chose to continue living in Colorado Springs. He began his second career, flying commercially for Aspen Airways/Air Wisconsin in 1978. He flew 15 years until mandatory retirement at age 60.
Bob received the Superior Airmanship Award from ALPA for successfully preventing a fatal accident while flying between Denver and Durango, safely landing in Buena Vista after losing both engines on January 20, 1989.
Bob also received the Wright Brothers “Master Pilot” Award on July 9, 2015, for his dedicated service, technical expertise, professionalism, and many outstanding contributions to further the cause of aviation safety.
When not flying commercially, Bob enjoyed flying his own plane and working at his hangar at Meadowlake Airport. He enjoyed hunting, skeet shooting, and collecting guns. Bob was an avid Kansas City Royals and Chiefs fan.
He was also a proud member of various organizations, including the Quiet Birdmen COS Hangar, BPOE Elks, the Confederate Air Force, and the Daedalians.
One of his proudest moments was when he was honored to be a member of Honor Flight of Southern Colorado on Flight 11 to Washington DC in April 2018.
He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Barbara; his daughter, Lisa Carroll (Darryl); son, Jeff White (Mary Ann); and 4 grandchildren: Ryan Carroll, Robert White, Anna White, and Kaylee Schwieterman (Scot). He was preceded in death by his father, mother, sister, Jean Alexander; and his son, Doug White.
Visitation will be held at 9:00 a.m. with service to follow at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 4, 2019, at Shrine of Remembrance “America the Beautiful” Chapel, 1730 East Fountain Boulevard, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80910.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org.
Bob will be sorely missed by his family and friends, but he will always be remembered for his stories, his quick wit and sense of humor, and his ready smile. Bob loved God, his family, his country, and a good joke.
Pete Baurer
31 Mar 2019Barbara and family, I am so so sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. He is a great man and a wonderful pilot. I had the honor and privilege to work and fly with him on many occasions and it was always fun and rewarding. We had several great adventures together. I miss his smile and wit.
I very much wish I could attend in person on the 4th to honor and pay my respects but I promise that during that hour I will stop and say prayers for all of you and give him my very best military salute.
Godspeed Bob. You are cleared for takeoff.
Lance Ross
31 Mar 2019When I received word of Bob’s passing, I was deeply saddened. We first met in the mid-80s. His life-saving “Buena Vista Glider” flight was 30 years ago this past January. Bob was definitely one of the good guys. I’ll miss his long-distance emails, his sense of humor (often playfully at Barb’s expense) and most importantly, his friendship.
MICHAEL BROWNLOW
31 Mar 2019Barbara,
I am saddened to hear of Bob’s passing. He was one of Bea Brownlow’s favorite pilots and a good friend. I always looked forward to seeing both of you at the Aspen picnics.
William Umpleby, pilot.
31 Mar 2019Sorry, my wife and I are out of town and will not be able to attend the funeral. Bob, was the pilots pilot. All business with some streaks of fun, mixed in. He was an inspirational teacher to all of us younger pilots. A mentor to get us by our inexperience. Bob, is once again flying high above the clouds. We will all see each other one day in those same clouds.
Valerie Scott
31 Mar 2019It was an honor to fly with Bob at Aspen, and he always brighten the day. His great sense of humor and love of aviation made being around him a pleasure. Deepest sympathies for your loss and remember……
“Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near. Still loved, still missed and very dear.”
I am grateful to have known him and send my love during this very challenging time.
Capt. Glen Davis, sr.
31 Mar 2019Loved Bob, A superb airman, with the best “aviation” jokes ever. We were all blessed to know Bob (and what’s her name). Save ne a seat in your cockpit Bob. G-1
Dallas Kungel
31 Mar 2019Bob was A great guy to work with . I always enjoyed his sense of humor. I remember the first time I saw he had a pistol in his flt bag when I was riding in the jump seat. He said ” Don’t worry about anyone trying to break down the cockpit door, they won’t make it far”
Lead Mechanic / Supervisor
Dallas
Robert Haines
31 Mar 2019I am sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. I am the son of Paul Haines. I flew the Convair 580 with Bob at Aspen Airways. He was very patient and I learned a lot from Bob.
Robert (Bob) Haines
RoseMarie Maes
31 Mar 2019So sorry for your loss. I will miss Bob’s emails and sense of humor. After a flight he would always say he’s “Going home to his bride” and was having dinner at the White House. I tried to get him to get a smart phone so we could text, and he said there’s no way he would be bothered with doing that. He will be missed so much. With a heavy heart. RoseMarie Maes “Roe”
Penni Ashinhurst
31 Mar 2019My deepest sympathies to all knew and loved Bob. He was unique, kind, funny, loyal, courageous person. I loved his crazy sense of humor. He was always willing to listen and offer an idea on what might help. He left a lot of memories and that’s much appreciated. I will always be forever grateful for all the lives he saved, and to his service to our country. He was a true hero and will be greatly missed.
Sincerely,
Penni Ashinhurst
Aspen Airways Flight Attendant
Al Minich
31 Mar 2019Dear Barbara, Bob was one of my 1st two friends when I moved to Colorado in ‘76 and worked with him at Aero Rampart. I was very fortunate to fly with Bob later at Aspen Airways. He was always there to help a “flatlander” learn safe mountain flying. He reinforced the 3 most important rules of flying; fly safe, fly legal and enjoy the flight. If a pilot does that, all on board will enjoy the flight too.
I had many laughs with Bob, he was a great friend from the first day we met. I will miss him very much. My best wishes to you and all your family.
Wilbur V Hosman
31 Mar 2019We lost a dear friend. Rest in peace. The Hosman family
Tammy Saccomano (Green)
31 Mar 2019Bob was a wonderful person and much loved. Prayers to his family for peace, comfort, and strength during this difficult time.
Carol Brennan
31 Mar 2019So very sorry for your loss. May you Rest in Peace Bob, and May God give Comfort to your Family and Friends! Blessings, Carol Brennan F/A, Air Wisconsin Airlines
Linda Thompson
1 Apr 2019I will always remember the special man that put that Aircraft safely on the ground. Good job Bob.
Linda Thompson
Aspen flight attendant on board.
Michael J Mulvey
1 Apr 2019Rest in peace Bob. I will never forget your piloting skills. I have had the pleasure of flying jump seat with Bob on several occasions. On one occasion we were hit by a huge wind shear upon landing iin Aspen. He powered out of that wind shear pulled up and circled back around for a safe landing. It was a tense moment. I happened to be flying jump seat that day. He was in full control even though that old plane shook like crazy. One of many great things accomplished by Mr. White. He will truly be missed! Michael Mulvey (Ground equipment mechanic)
Linde Schuttloffel
1 Apr 2019On behalf of Michelle and my self we share in yourCelebration of Bob’s life and in the void his passing has left in everyone he has touched.I will always remember the times we shared up in the Sky.Aufwiedersen my dear Captain. Linde Schuttloffel !?♥️
Linde Schuttloffel
1 Apr 2019On behalf of Michelle and my self we share in your celebration of Bob’s life and in the void his passing has left in everyone he touched. Our deepest sympathies.Linde and Michelle.
Glen and Linda
1 Apr 2019Dear Barbara and Family,
We were so saddened at the sudden and unexpected passing of Bob! We cherish good memories with him at many aviation gatherings and Glen sharing the cockpit with Aspen Airways, good conversations in developing a special friendship!
We grieve with all of you but pray that the many wonderful moments shared with Bob will be a source of comfort, strength and encouragement in the days ahead! May God bless all the family with peace, grace and lots of love!
With our deepest sympathy,
Glen and Linda Davis
BONNIE KING
2 Apr 2019Barbara and family,
I am so very sad to learn about Bob. I had started getting a bit concerned, because I regularly received emails he would forward related to animals, especially dogs. I had asked him to please continue to share with me after I lost Jack. It had been longer than usual since I had received one.
The loss will be felt by so very many. I will take solace in knowing that in addition to their flying stories, Jack now has someone in Heaven with him that loves to shoot, as well. Bet, the first thing Jack did was take him to the range.
My sympathy and prayers to all of you.
Bonnie (Mrs. Jack) King
Anonymous
2 Apr 2019Barbara and family, sorry for your loss. I have kept in touch with Bob and enjoyed his emails, avaition knowledge and humor. Capt. Gary Miller – retired. Plan Administrator of our Air Wisconsin Pilot’s 401(k).
Phil Helfer
2 Apr 2019Barbara and the White family,
All who were blessed knowing Bob will never forget his wit, humor and love for his beautiful bride.
Bob will always be loved and missed by all of his Aspen Airways family. See you on the other side Robert. Barbara, we’re out of town and won’t be able to attend but will be there in prayer. Huge hugs my friend.
William Rosquist
3 Apr 2019Our sincere condolences to all the White family. It was a sad day hearing that Bob had passed. Bob was one of the original Southeast Asia hands, and I always enjoyed sharing stories with him as well as flying with him. Here’s to you Bob: “…Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth of sun-spit clouds,-and done a hundred things you have not dreamed of- wheeled and sored and swung, High in the sunlit silence.”… “High Flight”
Morgan Barbour
4 Apr 2019To Barbara and the White Families.
After reading all the accolades written about Bob “Big Red One”, I have to concede all of the wonderful thoughts & stories are “Spot On” and deservedly so, Bob was a Special. Person.
.However, we go a lot further back in his life. Sarah & I first met Bob & Barbara at Keesler AFB , MS in 1955, and we were assigned to a C-45 Support Sq that flew around in Circles (Patterns) training GCA Operators at Gulfport, MS! We were in the most advanced aircraft (Sarcasym!) and couldn’t wait to get into a much more sophisticated airplane, As most of you have inferred about Bob, that did happen to both of us.. From that time forward we have been in contact thru most of our careers with Bob & Barbara and have treasured that friendship.
We wish Bob “God Speed in his Final Flight of Going West” And we wish Barbara, Lisa, Jeff & Extended Families the grace, love & the special memories in coping with their personal loss.
Morgan Barbour & family
Anonymous
6 Apr 2019Barbara and family:
I just got home to SASK last nite after 5 months in the CA .When I turned the computer on I was
shocked and saddened to hear about Bob. He was a good friend and I was always glad to get his E mails
. When he was in Burbank he stayed with me in my old motor home and we were in Saudi
together for 6 weeks. I flew with him many times and always welcomed his flying expertise and his great sense of humor. Carl Mattson