My Favorite White House
by Harry Osborne
July 12, 2009

Shortly following our return home from services on Wednesday evening, July 1st, Leslie and I received the call that Bob White had passed from this life. He had fought a long and tiring battle with a terminal disease. The elders of this congregation graciously consented for us to be given time to travel to Ohio for the funeral services. After a very well attended visitation on Monday and a funeral that overflowed the chapel on Tuesday, Bob’s earthly body was laid to rest awaiting the resurrection. Though most members of this congregation never met him, Bob White was the kind of man any true Christian would love to meet. Leslie and I loved him as a dear member of our family and a great man of faith. For that reason, I want to introduce you to a man I hope you will meet in heaven.

The inspired psalmist noted, “The days of our years are threescore and ten, or even by reason of strength fourscore; yet is their pride but labor and sorrow; for it is soon gone and we fly away” (Psa. 90:10). Though Bob lived to the age of 75, he came to know in the last year or so of his life the labor and sorrow due to the ravages of Amyloidosis, a rare and ultimately fatal disease that occurs when substances called “amyloid proteins” build up in the body’s organs.

As the disease brought trials to body and mind, those close to Bob saw its effect in trying a man we held dear. As a man of physical activity and competitive spirit, it was especially hard for Bob to adjust to a different reality in mind and body. Bob saw disease and growing weakness as the opposite of who he had always been and sought a solitary place to fight it with the strength and competitive spirit that remained. During the last months, our communication became less frequent as he became unable to talk as we did so often in earlier years. He was a strong and vibrant man trying to carry on a private fight, protect others from seeing the unwelcomed effects of disease and seeking strength in the closest person in the world to him – his loving Ann who promised her heart and delivered her oath to love and honor, for better or worse, in sickness or in health, until death do us part.

There are many parts of Bob’s life that should and, no doubt, will be remembered by all who loved him. He will be remembered in his unique relationships with family, friends, co-workers, sporting participants, baseball fans, golfing groups, neighbors, and other facets of his life.

Bob was an accomplished athlete and musician. He was the quarterback of his high school team (who married the homecoming queen) and a part of an excellent softball team together with his sons. Bob and his brother formed a bluegrass band in the 1960’s and rose to be the opening act for George Jones in Cleveland’s old Theater. He continued to pick and grin to the delight of home gatherings throughout his life. “Going to the White house” was a special treat for me, and it had nothing to do with Washington or any politician. It was about being with humble people of God.

Near the end of his life, however, Bob asked me to be a part of his funeral service to share some thoughts about the priority of his life that gave him hope and pointed the way towards his eternal destiny. Bob White was a Christian. Bob knew and lived with the fact that our purpose is to fear God and keep His commandments. Bob believed and was sure that he would die and come face to face before the Lord in judgment where he would give answer for all things done in the flesh whether good or evil. Bob was confident that his brief “vapor” of an earthly life would be followed by an eternal destiny. To that end, Bob set his heart on knowing, obeying and remaining faithful to the Lord as directed by the word of God.

My first introduction to Bob exemplified to me his earnest desire to try every teaching and test every teacher by comparison to the Scripture. He had come to see a vast drift away from God’s word in preaching and practice where he had worshipped in Florida, so he asked me to meet with him concerning my teaching and practice. Bob diligently, directly and thoughtfully tested me in numerous doctrinal areas to see if I was holding to the pattern of truth. He exhibited the spirit of the Bereans of Acts 17 who were described as noble in spirit, hearing with all readiness of mind and searching the Scriptures daily to if it was so. Some never ask the difficult questions to test every man and doctrine in the light of God’s word. Bob was not among that number. Some do not listen to fairly hear and examine. Bob was not among that number. Some, having heard words that vary from truth, think more highly of men than of what is written in Scripture. Bob was most certainly not among that number. Bob was the staunchest defender of those who stood for truth and a dependable foe of those who strayed from it. He was fair in his hearing of the preaching and consistent in asking, “What saith the Scripture?”

Bob came to be one of my dearest friends and one of my most trusted counselors. I will always treasure his advice, his dear friendship, his brotherly love, his perceptive mind, his diligent service, his spirited song leading, his faithful discipleship. When I think of Bob now and for the rest of my life, I will always see his bright smile, his eyes full of life, his enthusiasm, his sense of humor, his joyful and spirited laughter, his love of music and song, his brotherly nature and his loving spirit. And in my mind’s eye, I cannot picture Bob without the twin picture of a loving, smiling, bright-eyed and cheerful spirit of his loving Ann by his side. God has blessed me to know and love this wonderful couple and learn great lessons from their lives. Yes, Bob White has passed from this life, but he yet speaks by his life. I look forward to seeing him once more in that wondrous and eternal home at heaven’s throne.

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