A lot of kindness left this Earth on Jan. 31, 2019. Philip D. White, 77, of Lewiston, lost his courageous battle with Alzheimer’s at Wedgewood Terrace Assisted Living, with his wife, by his side.
Phil was born July 17, 1941, in Lewiston, to Ralph L. White and Janet (Blewett) White, the second of three children. His mother had 13 siblings, so he grew up with lots of aunts, uncles and cousins. He graduated from Lewiston High School in 1959, then started college at the University of Puget Sound, Tacoma.
Phil enlisted in the U.S. Army and later was given a deferment to complete his education, and he finished his military duty with the National Guard. He then transferred to San Jose State in Fresno, Calif., where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree June 5, 1964. There he met Katherine Altmann of Castro Valley, Calif., and they were married June 7, 1964.
He was awarded a teaching assistantship at Washington State University in Pullman and began his studies there for his Ph.D. in psychology, receiving his doctorate Feb. 6, 1969. Phil accepted the position of assistant professor of psychology at Southern Oregon College in Ashland, Ore., before settling in Sacramento, Calif. He then worked for the California Youth Authority for many years while maintaining a private practice. Phil and Katie had two daughters and divorced in 1985.
Phil was a very complex, caring and talented person. He sang in a high school group called the Marquees and continued singing as an adult. As a member of the Stockton Chorale, they were invited to sing at Carnegie Hall in 1988, something he was very proud of.
He was an avid tennis player, winning many tournaments. He also was a talented artist, painting family portraits, beautiful landscapes and other objects. He was an accomplished handyman, learning from builders he worked for to help with his college tuition. In 1991, Phil decided to try mountain climbing, scaling both Mount Shasta and Mount Rainier.
Returning home from the Rainier climb, he stopped in Lewiston to attend his sister Sherry’s high school reunion and ran into Denise Rydrych, a former classmate. A romance developed, and they were married in Winnemucca, Nev., on Nov. 21, 1991, starting a life of happiness, love and adventure (he later helped her successfully climb Mount Shasta and Mount Whitney). They enjoyed traveling to many countries, including Egypt, France, Germany, Holland, Austria, Costa Rica, Mexico and the Caribbean and often to Hawaii. They worked hard, danced a lot and enjoyed spending time with their families and friends.
In 1999, they moved to Falmouth, Mass., (Cape Cod) to bond with their first grandchild, Brett, and also so Phil could complete advanced training in treating trauma victims at Boston University. While on Cape Cod, he joined the American Red Cross, and they later sent him to New York to help counsel victims of the 9/11 disaster. He also was sent to Texas to help with victims of Hurricane Rita. Phil and Denise moved to Lewiston in late 2000 to help with his aging parents, and he had a part-time practice here until he retired in 2009. One regret he had was that the remains of his uncle, Cecil White, who was shot down in the Solomon Islands during World War II, were never recovered. He spent many years working with JPAC (Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command) to assist the military in their search. Hopefully they will succeed.
He was a member of the American Legion Post 13, volunteering for numerous projects involving the American Red Cross, the Outlook Club, Chevy Club, Phi Delta Theta and Congregational Presbyterian Church. He was a diehard fan of the WSU Cougars and the Boston Red Sox.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Len and Mettie White; parents Ralph and Janet White; his sisters, Lorene Tompson and Sherry Gianinni; and all his aunts and uncles, except one.
Phil is survived by his wife; bonus daughter; two daughters of California; six grandchildren; an aunt; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Phil will be remembered for his gentle spirit, wisdom, patience, generosity, love of family and humanity, and will remain in our hearts forever.
A special thank you goes to Dr. David Martin, Wedgewood Terrace and Kindred Hospice for their compassion and care during this hard time.
Phil was laid to rest at Mountain View Funeral Home in Lewiston. A memorial service for him will be held at a later date. Donations in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation.
R.I.P., Phil. Job well done.
Published
LMT
20190208
Phil was born July 17, 1941, in Lewiston, to Ralph L. White and Janet (Blewett) White, the second of three children. His mother had 13 siblings, so he grew up with lots of aunts, uncles and cousins. He graduated from Lewiston High School in 1959, then started college at the University of Puget Sound, Tacoma.
Phil enlisted in the U.S. Army and later was given a deferment to complete his education, and he finished his military duty with the National Guard. He then transferred to San Jose State in Fresno, Calif., where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree June 5, 1964. There he met Katherine Altmann of Castro Valley, Calif., and they were married June 7, 1964.
He was awarded a teaching assistantship at Washington State University in Pullman and began his studies there for his Ph.D. in psychology, receiving his doctorate Feb. 6, 1969. Phil accepted the position of assistant professor of psychology at Southern Oregon College in Ashland, Ore., before settling in Sacramento, Calif. He then worked for the California Youth Authority for many years while maintaining a private practice. Phil and Katie had two daughters and divorced in 1985.
Phil was a very complex, caring and talented person. He sang in a high school group called the Marquees and continued singing as an adult. As a member of the Stockton Chorale, they were invited to sing at Carnegie Hall in 1988, something he was very proud of.
He was an avid tennis player, winning many tournaments. He also was a talented artist, painting family portraits, beautiful landscapes and other objects. He was an accomplished handyman, learning from builders he worked for to help with his college tuition. In 1991, Phil decided to try mountain climbing, scaling both Mount Shasta and Mount Rainier.
Returning home from the Rainier climb, he stopped in Lewiston to attend his sister Sherry’s high school reunion and ran into Denise Rydrych, a former classmate. A romance developed, and they were married in Winnemucca, Nev., on Nov. 21, 1991, starting a life of happiness, love and adventure (he later helped her successfully climb Mount Shasta and Mount Whitney). They enjoyed traveling to many countries, including Egypt, France, Germany, Holland, Austria, Costa Rica, Mexico and the Caribbean and often to Hawaii. They worked hard, danced a lot and enjoyed spending time with their families and friends.
In 1999, they moved to Falmouth, Mass., (Cape Cod) to bond with their first grandchild, Brett, and also so Phil could complete advanced training in treating trauma victims at Boston University. While on Cape Cod, he joined the American Red Cross, and they later sent him to New York to help counsel victims of the 9/11 disaster. He also was sent to Texas to help with victims of Hurricane Rita. Phil and Denise moved to Lewiston in late 2000 to help with his aging parents, and he had a part-time practice here until he retired in 2009. One regret he had was that the remains of his uncle, Cecil White, who was shot down in the Solomon Islands during World War II, were never recovered. He spent many years working with JPAC (Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command) to assist the military in their search. Hopefully they will succeed.
He was a member of the American Legion Post 13, volunteering for numerous projects involving the American Red Cross, the Outlook Club, Chevy Club, Phi Delta Theta and Congregational Presbyterian Church. He was a diehard fan of the WSU Cougars and the Boston Red Sox.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Len and Mettie White; parents Ralph and Janet White; his sisters, Lorene Tompson and Sherry Gianinni; and all his aunts and uncles, except one.
Phil is survived by his wife; bonus daughter; two daughters of California; six grandchildren; an aunt; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Phil will be remembered for his gentle spirit, wisdom, patience, generosity, love of family and humanity, and will remain in our hearts forever.
A special thank you goes to Dr. David Martin, Wedgewood Terrace and Kindred Hospice for their compassion and care during this hard time.
Phil was laid to rest at Mountain View Funeral Home in Lewiston. A memorial service for him will be held at a later date. Donations in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation.
R.I.P., Phil. Job well done.
Published
LMT
20190208
A lot of kindness left this Earth on Jan. 31, 2019. Philip D. White, 77, of Lewiston, lost his courageous battle with Alzheimer’s at Wedgewood Terrace Assisted Living, with his wife, by his side.
Phil was born July 17, 1941, in Lewiston, to Ralph L. White and Janet (Blewett) White, the second of three children. His mother had 13 siblings, so he grew up with lots of aunts, uncles and cousins. He graduated from Lewiston High School in 1959, then started college at the University of Puget Sound, Tacoma.
Phil enlisted in the U.S. Army and later was given a deferment to complete his education, and he finished his military duty with the National Guard. He then transferred to San Jose State in Fresno, Calif., where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree June 5, 1964. There he met Katherine Altmann of Castro Valley, Calif., and they were married June 7, 1964.
He was awarded a teaching assistantship at Washington State University in Pullman and began his studies there for his Ph.D. in psychology, receiving his doctorate Feb. 6, 1969. Phil accepted the position of assistant professor of psychology at Southern Oregon College in Ashland, Ore., before settling in Sacramento, Calif. He then worked for the California Youth Authority for many years while maintaining a private practice. Phil and Katie had two daughters and divorced in 1985.
Phil was a very complex, caring and talented person. He sang in a high school group called the Marquees and continued singing as an adult. As a member of the Stockton Chorale, they were invited to sing at Carnegie Hall in 1988, something he was very proud of.
He was an avid tennis player, winning many tournaments. He also was a talented artist, painting family portraits, beautiful landscapes and other objects. He was an accomplished handyman, learning from builders he worked for to help with his college tuition. In 1991, Phil decided to try mountain climbing, scaling both Mount Shasta and Mount Rainier.
Returning home from the Rainier climb, he stopped in Lewiston to attend his sister Sherry’s high school reunion and ran into Denise Rydrych, a former classmate. A romance developed, and they were married in Winnemucca, Nev., on Nov. 21, 1991, starting a life of happiness, love and adventure (he later helped her successfully climb Mount Shasta and Mount Whitney). They enjoyed traveling to many countries, including Egypt, France, Germany, Holland, Austria, Costa Rica, Mexico and the Caribbean and often to Hawaii. They worked hard, danced a lot and enjoyed spending time with their families and friends.
In 1999, they moved to Falmouth, Mass., (Cape Cod) to bond with their first grandchild, Brett, and also so Phil could complete advanced training in treating trauma victims at Boston University. While on Cape Cod, he joined the American Red Cross, and they later sent him to New York to help counsel victims of the 9/11 disaster. He also was sent to Texas to help with victims of Hurricane Rita. Phil and Denise moved to Lewiston in late 2000 to help with his aging parents, and he had a part-time practice here until he retired in 2009. One regret he had was that the remains of his uncle, Cecil White, who was shot down in the Solomon Islands during World War II, were never recovered. He spent many years working with JPAC (Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command) to assist the military in their search. Hopefully they will succeed.
He was a member of the American Legion Post 13, volunteering for numerous projects involving the American Red Cross, the Outlook Club, Chevy Club, Phi Delta Theta and Congregational Presbyterian Church. He was a diehard fan of the WSU Cougars and the Boston Red Sox.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Len and Mettie White; parents Ralph and Janet White; his sisters, Lorene Tompson and Sherry Gianinni; and all his aunts and uncles, except one.
Phil is survived by his wife; bonus daughter; two daughters of California; six grandchildren; an aunt; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Phil will be remembered for his gentle spirit, wisdom, patience, generosity, love of family and humanity, and will remain in our hearts forever.
A special thank you goes to Dr. David Martin, Wedgewood Terrace and Kindred Hospice for their compassion and care during this hard time.
Phil was laid to rest at Mountain View Funeral Home in Lewiston. A memorial service for him will be held at a later date. Donations in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation.
R.I.P., Phil. Job well done.
Published
LMT
20190208
Phil was born July 17, 1941, in Lewiston, to Ralph L. White and Janet (Blewett) White, the second of three children. His mother had 13 siblings, so he grew up with lots of aunts, uncles and cousins. He graduated from Lewiston High School in 1959, then started college at the University of Puget Sound, Tacoma.
Phil enlisted in the U.S. Army and later was given a deferment to complete his education, and he finished his military duty with the National Guard. He then transferred to San Jose State in Fresno, Calif., where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree June 5, 1964. There he met Katherine Altmann of Castro Valley, Calif., and they were married June 7, 1964.
He was awarded a teaching assistantship at Washington State University in Pullman and began his studies there for his Ph.D. in psychology, receiving his doctorate Feb. 6, 1969. Phil accepted the position of assistant professor of psychology at Southern Oregon College in Ashland, Ore., before settling in Sacramento, Calif. He then worked for the California Youth Authority for many years while maintaining a private practice. Phil and Katie had two daughters and divorced in 1985.
Phil was a very complex, caring and talented person. He sang in a high school group called the Marquees and continued singing as an adult. As a member of the Stockton Chorale, they were invited to sing at Carnegie Hall in 1988, something he was very proud of.
He was an avid tennis player, winning many tournaments. He also was a talented artist, painting family portraits, beautiful landscapes and other objects. He was an accomplished handyman, learning from builders he worked for to help with his college tuition. In 1991, Phil decided to try mountain climbing, scaling both Mount Shasta and Mount Rainier.
Returning home from the Rainier climb, he stopped in Lewiston to attend his sister Sherry’s high school reunion and ran into Denise Rydrych, a former classmate. A romance developed, and they were married in Winnemucca, Nev., on Nov. 21, 1991, starting a life of happiness, love and adventure (he later helped her successfully climb Mount Shasta and Mount Whitney). They enjoyed traveling to many countries, including Egypt, France, Germany, Holland, Austria, Costa Rica, Mexico and the Caribbean and often to Hawaii. They worked hard, danced a lot and enjoyed spending time with their families and friends.
In 1999, they moved to Falmouth, Mass., (Cape Cod) to bond with their first grandchild, Brett, and also so Phil could complete advanced training in treating trauma victims at Boston University. While on Cape Cod, he joined the American Red Cross, and they later sent him to New York to help counsel victims of the 9/11 disaster. He also was sent to Texas to help with victims of Hurricane Rita. Phil and Denise moved to Lewiston in late 2000 to help with his aging parents, and he had a part-time practice here until he retired in 2009. One regret he had was that the remains of his uncle, Cecil White, who was shot down in the Solomon Islands during World War II, were never recovered. He spent many years working with JPAC (Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command) to assist the military in their search. Hopefully they will succeed.
He was a member of the American Legion Post 13, volunteering for numerous projects involving the American Red Cross, the Outlook Club, Chevy Club, Phi Delta Theta and Congregational Presbyterian Church. He was a diehard fan of the WSU Cougars and the Boston Red Sox.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Len and Mettie White; parents Ralph and Janet White; his sisters, Lorene Tompson and Sherry Gianinni; and all his aunts and uncles, except one.
Phil is survived by his wife; bonus daughter; two daughters of California; six grandchildren; an aunt; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Phil will be remembered for his gentle spirit, wisdom, patience, generosity, love of family and humanity, and will remain in our hearts forever.
A special thank you goes to Dr. David Martin, Wedgewood Terrace and Kindred Hospice for their compassion and care during this hard time.
Phil was laid to rest at Mountain View Funeral Home in Lewiston. A memorial service for him will be held at a later date. Donations in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation.
R.I.P., Phil. Job well done.
Published
LMT
20190208
Inscription
Husband of Denise Rydrych White
A2C US AIR FORCE
Gravesite Details
Mountain View Mausoleum
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
