Robert Macdonald White

Robert MacDonald White of Atlanta Georgia area, snuck away from us peacefully in his sleep at home on January 2, 2020 from complications related to pneumonia. At the time of his death, he was 78 years and one day old, having just had a birthday the day prior.
Bob, as he was referred to by friends, or Grandpa Bob, as he was lovingly known by his four grandchildren, was born on January 1, 1942, in Honolulu, Hawaii. The oldest of three sons of Thomas Stuart White, a US Naval Officer, and June White, Bob and his brothers, Tom and Joe, grew up like many military families moving from one exotic location to another, including Luzon, Philippines, & rural Alabama among numerous other places.
Bob completed his secondary education in Chicago, Illinois, at New Trier High School and graduated from Princeton University in the early1963. Upon graduation, he immediately enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, completing his training at Parris Island, South Carolina, and Officer Candidate School at Quantico, Virginia, and soon left to serve in the Vietnam War.
Bob served proudly in Vietnam as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 9th Motor Transport until the U.S. Marine Corps. left Vietnam in December 1969.
After Vietnam, Bob left the Marines and moved to Atlanta to pursue masters degrees in civil engineering and computer science at Georgia Tech. Bob met his first wife, Susan Woodruff in 1972 at the legendary Stein Club, and married in 1976. Bob became a wonderful father to young Cindy, and in January 1978, son Stuart completed the family.
Bob was active in the Atlanta rugby and track associations, All Saints Episcopal Church, All Saints Refugee Ministries and MoveOn.org. He enjoyed two full careers - first with Law Engineering Environmental Group as a geological engineer and then as a commercial real estate broker with Westminster Group and Adams Realty, where he expanded into the role of mentoring potential future real estate brokers.
Later in his life, Bob joined the Atlanta Jungian Society, where he met his second wife, Deborah Herberger. Together, they enjoyed traveling, hiking (including an epic hike to the top of Machu Picchu), cycling and spending time with their four grandchildren, Caroline, Will, Anna and Thomas.
In his later years, Bob was diagnosed with Frontal Temporal Dementia, but he battled the challenging side effects of this disease with grace, courage and dignity. His diagnosis never diminished his love of people and wanting to connect with others. Bob lived his entire life never knowing a stranger.
Bob was preceded in death by his father and mother, Stuart and June White. He will be greatly missed by his family who survive him: his wife, Deborah Herberger; his former wife and good friend, Susan Woodruff; his daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Jim Garstka; his son and daughter-in-law, Stuart White and Christina Buensuceso; his brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Stathy White, as well as his brother, Joe White; his nephew and nieces, Candice White, Tommy White, Vicki Connor, Katherine Askounis, Harriet White and Nicholas White; his grandchildren, Caroline, Will and Anna Garstka and Thomas White; and his beloved cats, Sam and Gracie.
Memorial services for Bob will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 1:00 pm at A.S. Turner Funeral Home in Decatur Georgia. Family and friends are invited to gather at A.S. Turner beginning at noon. A reception will follow at the home of Cindy and Jim Garstka.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the All Saints Episcopal Church Refugee Ministries or to MoveOn.org.