Donald H. White

Donald H. White, 95, passed away in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Oct. 4, 2016.

He was born in Narberth, Pa., on Feb. 28, 1921 to Howard and Leona K. White.

Following graduation from Temple University in 1942 with a Bachelor of Science in music education, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force and served as a navigator on a B-17 with the 8th Air Force in World War II.

He flew 19 combat missions over Europe and was shot down over the Pas de Calais area on March 26, 1944. He was captured by the Germans and interned in Stalag Luft III for the final 13 months of the war, being liberated in April 1945 by Patton’s Third Army. He was honorably discharged from active duty in December 1945.

Following his discharge from the service, he pursued graduate studies in music, receiving a master’s degree (1947) and PhD (1952) in music composition from the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester.

He was on the music faculty of DePauw University in Greencastle from 1947 through 1981, serving as the director of the School of Music from 1974-78.

He then was chairman of the music department at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Wash., from 1981 until his retirement in 1990. He was beloved by his students and colleagues.

He was married to his wife, Rosalie Allison White, from 1948 until her death in 2001.

He is survived by his three daughters Phyllis Cook of Louisville, Colo. (and her husband, Jim and son, Scott); Barbara Bryan of Greencastle (and her husband, Alan, and sons, Patrick and Paul); and Jeanne LaBarbera of Colorado Springs (and her husband, Ray). They will remember him as a loving and caring father and for his passion for music.

He will be interred at West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia.

Donations in memoriam may be made to the Donald H. White Composition Scholarship Fund at the Eastman School of Music, Advancement Office, 26 Gibbs St., Rochester, NY 14604.