Robert Barrett "Bob" White, DDS, 89, of South Pittsburg, TN died Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at his home following a brief illness.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marguerite "Maggie" Robinson White, and his son, Jack White.


A native of Chattanooga, he was raised in Dayton, TN where his father operated coal mines. After graduating high school, Bob joined the Air Force during World War II at the age of 18. After military service, he came back home and decided to go to dental school. He attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville for his pre-dentistry courses and spent four more years in a Memphis dental program, graduating in December of 1952.

In 1953, Dr. White moved to South Pittsburg to take over the practice of Dr. Herschel Hughes who had been called back to serve in the Korean War, later buying the practice when Dr. Hughes moved to Grundy County. In 1959, Dr. Bob relocated his practice to the new South Pittsburg Hospital facility, where he remained until his retirement.

Dr. White joined the South Pittsburg Water Board in 1954 where he served for twenty years, being instrumental in having fluoridation added to the public water supply. He was appointed to the South Pittsburg Housing Authority board that same year.

Dr. White was a member of Holly Avenue United Methodist Church. He was a past president, Paul Harris Fellow and 60 year member of the South Pittsburg Rotary Club. During his tenure in the Rotary Club he was instrumental in obtaining a grant to fund the Educated Youth Ensures Success (E.Y.E.S) Program.

He had been a member of the Foster Children Board, the Jaycees National Board of Directors, and The Board of the University of Tennessee Alumni Association.

If multiple civic roles and running a thriving business weren't enough, Dr. White had a number of hobbies over the years - including raising roses, boating, building elaborate model railroads and scale model ships, producing stained glass lamp shades, and doing latch hook rugs -- two of which cover entryways into his home today.

He is survived by one son, Robert B. White, Jr., of Noblesville, Indiana, a grandson, R. Barrett White, III, of Hoover, AL, and a beautiful great-granddaughter, "Maggie" White, of Hoover, AL.

The family will receive friends from 4-8 PM on Friday, October 2nd at Rogers Funeral Home in South Pittsburg.

Funeral services will be conducted from Holly Avenue United Methodist Church on Saturday, October 3rd at 1:00 PM with Rev. Lyle White and Rev. Michael Johnson officiating. Interment will follow in Spivey Cemetery in Dayton, TN.

The family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Spivey Cemetery Fund, 3680 Blythe Ferry Road, Dayton, TN 37321.