Alan Richard White of Radford, devoted husband and father, passed away from cancer on Aug. 25, 2021. He was 73.
He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Carol B. White; three children, David White of New York, N.Y., Jennifer White of Savannah, Ga., and Erin White of Greensboro, N.C.; a beautiful granddaughter; three siblings, Patricia Zimmerman of Buffalo, N.Y., Michele White of Clearwater, Fla., and Steven White of New York, N.Y.; their families; and extended family throughout the East Coast.
Born in 1948 to Richard and Margaret White, Alan grew up in upstate New York. He graduated as valedictorian from Horseheads High School in 1966 and maintained several close friendships from those years throughout the rest of his life.
Alan earned his B.S. in engineering from Princeton University in 1970 and upon graduation enlisted in the U.S. Army. When his service ended, he embarked on a career in mechanical engineering that would last more than 40 years.
He worked nearly two decades for Gardner Denver (formerly Hoffman Air & Filtration) in Syracuse, N.Y., and more than 10 years with Carrington Engineering in Charlotte, N.C., before founding Mark Ten Equipment in Wynne, Ark.
Upon retirement in 2015, Alan and Carol moved to the Virginia mountains, which they had come to love from their travels back north to visit family.
Alan was a dedicated lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church USA where he served in a wide variety of roles for the congregations in which he worshiped, including elder, deacon, as a member of the stewardship committee and the pastoral search committee. He was also active in youth fellowship, a basketball rec league, and international and local missions work. He served with the Gideons for many years.
Alan was an avid hiker and runner and lover of the natural world. He was an Eagle Scout and could always surprise everyone with his knowledge in many fields. He was known to travel far and wide to participate in whichever road races he took a particular liking to. Even in recent years when dog-walking was more his pace, he still enjoyed following scholastic and collegiate cross-country racing.
Alan strongly believed in America and took great pride in the communities in which he lived, contributing to each in numerous ways. Many people knew him as a fellow volunteer, fan, leader, coach, director, or simply for his friendliness, sense of humor, and positive attitude. On a daily basis, he made this world a better place, and he will be missed greatly.
A memorial service will be held at the Presbyterian Church of Radford in November. Plans and online condolences can be viewed/shared via Mullins Funeral Home, Radford. (www.mullinsfuneralhome.com)
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Radford-Fairlawn Daily Bread, which provides meals to those in need in the Radford area. (www.radfordfairlawndailybread.org).
