John White Obituary

Dr. John W. White of Durango died at 83 on March 5, 2017 in his wife's arms. He struggled with Alzheimer's and seizures. Born in Oklahoma, he visited Silverton as a teenager and wanted to make the area his home after he retired. John received his bachelor's degree in 1955 from Oklahoma A & M where he met Peggy and they were married in the summer of '54. He received his Master of Science at Colorado A & M in '57. After working in Denver for Park Elitch Wholesale Grower Association for 2 years, he was hired by Pennsylvania State University as an instructor. He began work on a Ph.D. which he received in '60. John spent his career at Penn State as a Horticulture Professor, conducting research on greenhouse flower production, making significant impacts on the use of renewable energy. For 3 years he was Associate Director of the university's Office of Industrial Research. He traveled the world, always searching for the latest developments in his field. He retired from Penn State as a Professor Emeritus. He received an honor from Oklahoma State as an Outstanding Alumni. In retirement he was active doing research on green roofs to help our environment. John is survived by his wife Peggy, 3 children, 7 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. Also surviving are 2 daughters-in-law, 1 son-in-law, and a sister. He was preceded in death by his parents. John and Peggy loved to be outside, spending lots of time hiking and fishing in the mountains. They traveled when possible and learned to scuba dive. He was an elder in the Presbyterian church. Photography became a consuming hobby. Chasing rainbows was a delight as was discovering new wildflowers. He embraced the time he spent with his family. There will be a celebration of life in the summer amid the wildflowers.