Robert C. White Jr. ’64

Bob died Sept. 16, 2025, of complications from a paralyzing biking accident.

Coming to Princeton from the McDonogh School in Owing Mills, Md., Bob dined at Colonial and majored in electrical engineering. He (epee) and Bill Hicks ’64 (foil) both became two-year All-Americans in fencing, together leading upstart Princeton to the 1964 NCAA title.

Bob earned his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Arizona in 1970, following that doing research and teaching at Arizona State University. In the 1990s, he moved to Sandia Park, N.M., where he worked for Verizon and married Pamela Heath.

After retiring, Bob took up bass guitar and woodworking, becoming an accomplished guitarist, playing with Pam, a pianist, in three different bands, and in his home workshop becoming a skilled woodworker using only hand tools.

Bob loved the outdoors, enjoyed backpacking, hiking, bicycling, and working around their rural home. He was also an avid environmentalist, especially of the desert landscape in the Southwest.

Although Bob had a quiet demeanor, he had a wonderful sense of humor that came out through his delightful letters and interpersonal relationships. His probing mind had him constantly reading about new areas of interest.

Bob is survived by his wife, Pam; children Ian, Amy, Stephen, and Anthony; and seven grandchildren. He was exceptionally kind and generous and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.