Richard T. White

Richard was born and mostly raised in Denton, TX. He played football in high school, joined the Marines, and survived to talk non-stop about it in his later years. He graduated from North Texas University and later finished a Master’s degree at Texas A&M-Commerce.

In the middle of all that, he discovered he really loved teaching, so he became a teacher of physical science. At one of several schools where he taught, Richard created an arboretum trail and also coached a girls’ track team to victory, setting records, some of which are still standing. Another project was creating a metric contest for middle schoolers, besides coaching several academic clubs. Richard loved encouraging students and adults and telling them, “You’re doing a great job!”

While he accepted Jesus as his Savior in Junior High, later in life, a friend, Debbie Zidermanis, played an important role in presenting to him the deeper things of the Lord. In 1984, friends Wayne and Chris Seifert, introduced Richard and Susan. A blind date. Six and a half weeks later, they were married in Israel overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Their marriage lasted almost 41 years. Richard loved Jesus more than anything and helped Susan find the deeper things of the Lord, too.

As his teaching career developed, he won a spot at Science/Engineering Magnet High School (SEM) in Dallas ISD, teaching electronics and computers. Twice, he made it as far as semi-finals for District Teacher of the Year. After that, he was appointed principal of SEM. Every morning, he would pray for the school, the students, teachers, and staff. He believed the Lord sent certain people to help him guide the school -- Kathy Coffman, Dr. Doug Harris, Debbie Floyd, Alan Gilkes, Chip Tuttle, Trisha and Earl Johnson, and others helped him maneuver the mine fields to implement new programs. They were a big reason SEM was so successful. During this time, Richard considered becoming a school superintendent and began work on a Doctorate degree, when a stroke slowed him down enough that he had to retire.

Richard was over the top proud of being a Marine and when he and Susan moved to the hill country, he took to wearing his Marine cap at all times. Even around the house! He loved the Lord, his wife and extended family, his students, the USMC, technology, Dr. Pepper, and any animal that would let him pet it. 

There is just not enough room to fit all this man did and accomplished in two short pages. So many awards and honors, so much he contributed, so much he poured into the lives of others. He was a man who made things happen.

Richard is survived by his ever-lovin’ wife Susan; twin brother Rodney; sisters-in-law Connie White, Julie Lambert, Olivia Lambert; several much-loved nieces and nephews; and one cat who has allowed the humans, Susan and Richard, to live in his house.

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