Robert A. White, 81, died in Vero Beach, on June 7, 2011.
White was born in Chicago, Ill., the son of Laura and Leslie White.
He grew up there and in Kankakee, Ill.
He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1955.
White spent five years in the U. S. Army and met his future wife while stationed at Fort Irwin, Calif.
He and Georgia Wilkins were married in 1953.
White spent his entire business career with General Motors Corporation, starting out in Anderson, Ind.
Subsequent assignments in finance and general management took the family to New York City and subsequently to several countries around the world.
White served as GM’s treasurer in Venezuela, France, Germany, and as director of finance in England.
He then served as managing director of GM Limited in the U.K. and GM South Africa in South Africa.
He returned to Detroit and retired in 1989 as executive in charge of international export sales.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Georgia; three children, Julie Steckel, Nancy Cardy and John White; three grandchildren, Elizabeth and Andrew Cardy, and Leslie White; sister, Jean White, of Bourbonnais, Ill.
The Whites have resided at Oak Harbor in Vero Beach since 2000.
White volunteered for seven years with Habitat for Humanity on building projects.
He was also active with Oak Harbor Club and community matters.
A mass of Christian burial will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Vero Beach on Monday, June 13th at 10 a.m.
Contributions in White’s memory may be made to the Samaritan Center, 3650 41st Street, Vero Beach, FL 32967, or the Gifford Youth Activity Center, 4875 43rd Avenue, Vero Beach, FL 32967 or to Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
