Richard "Dick" Then White was born on 4 Aug 1934 in Buffalo, NY, to Richard C. White and Eleanor A. Then White. His father was a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Class of 1908, and a career Naval officer who retired in 1928. Dick grew up in Buffalo and graduated from Nardin Academy in 1948 and Canisius High School in 1952. He was taught by Jesuits and even considered becoming a Catholic priest. Religion was always a great part of his life.

In 1952, Dick attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI, and was a midshipman in Naval ROTC. In 1953, he was appointed to West Point by Congressman Edmund P. Radwan of the 41st District of New York and entered with the Class of 1957.

As a cadet, Dick always gave 100 percent. He helped others with academics, even when he was pressed for time with his own responsibilities. He had a great sense of humor, particularly a sense of the ironic.

As an upperclassman, Dick helped a roommate "escape" from West Point for more than their two permitted weekends. Dick tutored his roommate in the art of debate, allowing his roommate to use Dick's research material and get away on weekend debate trips.

Dick was a star man, a lethal debater, and also enjoyed non-academic activities, including the Public Relations Council, the Pointer, and Howitzer. He pursued his spiritual interest with Catholic Chapel Acolytes and the Newman Club.

At graduation, Dick selected Air Force and, while on graduation leave, attended the wedding of his roommate, John Politis. At the wedding, he met Cynthia Damsel, a member of the wedding party. Dick and Cynthia would later marry. He attended the Intelligence Officers School at Sheppard Air Force Base, TX, and was assigned as an Intelligence officer. From 1957 until 1959, he served as director of Intelligence at the 28th Air Division at Hamilton AFB, CA.

On Founder's Day at The Presidio, Dick was selected as Mr. Vice and gave the customary speech. After dinner, the father of classmate Steve Place approached Dick and told him that Steve was stationed at a radar site near San Jose. Dick contacted Steve, and they became close friends, even though they had not known each other as cadets.

From 1959 to 1961, Dick attended The Ohio State University and earned his master's degree in physics. During those two years, he also became reacquainted with Cynthia Damsel, and they were married the same month. He was assigned to the Physics Department at the US Air Force Academy and eventually became an associate professor there, directing a variety of courses. He was also a lector at the Catholic Church and enjoyed playing party or duplicate bridge almost every weekend.

In 1963, Dick returned to The Ohio State University and was awarded his doctorate of philosophy in physics in 1965 before returning to the Air Force Academy. While he was in Ohio, daughter Erin was born. As Erin grew up, Dick stressed the importance of education, something she always appreciated. She attended Washington University in St. Louis, MO, on an ROTC scholarship. She graduated in 1986, joined the Army Reserve, and earned her jump wings at Ft. Benning. Erin later attended the University of New Mexico Law School, graduating in 1990. She joined the Judge Advocate General branch in 1991 and served at several posts, including Ft. Wainwright, AK. Later, she separated from the Army, returned to Alaska as a civilian, and worked as a lawyer. In 2002, she became an Anchorage assistant district attorney.

The Whites' son, John Richard, was born in 1967 at the Air Force Academy with a severe disability. In 1977, Cynthia wrote a beautiful article for the Air Force Times about their experience caring for John. Dick and Cynthia were incredibly loving and caring to John until his death in 1977. John was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

In June 1969, Dick was a staff scientist at Task Force Alpha at Nakon Phenom Royal Thai Air Base in Thailand, where he managed the sensor-derived tactical information and control system. For his service, he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Republic of Viet Nam Gallantry Cross with palm.

He returned to the Air Force Academy in 1970 as a tenured associate professor in the Department of Mathematics, headed the advanced division, and supervised a major revision of the required mathematics program. From June 1972 to August 1974, he served as assistant for analysis in the Office of the Deputy Director of Plans for Force Development at Headquarters, U.S. Air Force.

In June 1975, he was named a Distinguished Graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and subsequently served as assistant for nuclear policy and Air Force nuclear matters at OASD (Atomic Energy) and executive secretary of the Military Liaison Committee to the Energy Research and Development Association. From June 1977 until July 1979, he was director of defense industry analysis at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University, Ft. McNair, Washington, DC.

In July 1979, Dick was assigned to the Air Force Weapons Laboratory at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, NM, as commander/deputy director. Upon his retirement in 1982, he was awarded die Legion of Merit.

Dick died on 2 Jul 1989. A memorial service was held at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Albuquerque. He was cremated, and his remains were interred with his son, John, in a common grave at Arlington National Cemetery, VA, in September of that year. Many friends and classmates from the DC area attended the graveside ceremony.

Dick was a loving husband and father, a loyal friend, a faithful Christian, a brilliant physicist, and a dedicated officer. He is deeply missed by all who loved him.

A friend, family, and classmates