Robert "Bob" White, Jr.
November 28, 2021
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Service Details
Robert Thomas White, Jr., 60, entered into eternal glory on November 28, 2021.
Robert was born January 17, 1961 to Barbara and Robert White, Sr., in Des Moines, IA. He attended Saydel High School and graduated from Valley High School in 1979. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from Upper Iowa University and a Master’s degree from Drake. He served our country in the United States Army attaining the rank as Sargent and retiring as Captain. While serving at the Alamo Station in San Antonio, he was credited with saving another soldiers life. Robert retired from the Polk County Treasurer’s Office after 17 years.
Robert was a man of great accomplishments. He was an Eagle Scout, spoke fluent Russian and excelled at sports. He also took great pleasure in acting as referee in wrestling matches. He enjoyed coin and stamp collecting, card collecting, home projects, his mustang, Bible studies, the Chicago Cubs and the Iowa Hawkeyes.
He will be missed by his sister, Cindee Messmaker; brothers-in-law, Ken Messmaker and Doug Reed; two nieces, Dawn Reed and Diana Reed-Felty; two nephews, Bryan Messmaker and Kevin Messmaker; girlfriend, Lisa Muraviov; and other family members he loved and cherished.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines with visitation held one hour prior. Burial will follow at 12:30 p.m. at Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Chris Berg
07/29/2023
You were an anchor for me and I am sorry, very sorry to not have been there at your funeral. I miss talking with you my friend.
Randy Greenwood
12/13/2021
I just came across this obituary by chance and am saddened by Bobs passing. I knew him as Capt White in the Ia Air National Guard. I had many career discussions with Bob and served with him long enough to know him as a selfless servant patriot. My condolences and prayers are with him, may God Bless him and his family, Rest In Peace my friend!
Brig Gen Randy Greenwood (Ret)
Carla coleman
12/05/2021
I remember Bob at Valley High. I was in 10th grade and he was in 12th. He asked me to go to prom. He was my first date every. The theme song at prom was precious and few. I was so nervous. But Bob made me feel alot more calm. He will be greatly missed!!! R.I.P
Cynthia K Messmaker
12/05/2021
I will always love and remember you. You have been a thoughtful, caring and considerate person. You always helped with any problems that may arise. You will be missed. Rest in peace. I will forever feel blessed having you as my dear brother.
Charles Lauritsen
12/05/2021
Bob was a wonderful, curious student in my United States History class at Valley High School in 1978. When I saw his obituary in the Des Moines Register, I immediately remembered him. He was effervescent towards life at our school, and was an inquisitive mind to have in class. I remember his interest in Russian clearly. As teachers, it is always hard to have students pass before we do, and Bobs passing hit me pretty hard. I hope family and friends can take comfort knowing what a great person we at Valley believed Bob to be.
Lisa Muraviov
12/04/2021
My Handy Man---
The Lord called you home from the sandbox. You will forever be in my heart. Love you lots.
Always your Cutie
Janet & David Drey
12/03/2021
Dear Bob,
We, your neighbors, want to say how sad and surprised we are to learn of your death. Your being with us for the last 30+ years obviously made you one of the pioneers of who we are as a little community.
We all know within our hearts that if you had had the chance you would have come to each one in the neighborhood and told us goodbye yourself. We know that opportunity doesnt always cooperate.
We also want to say we are sorry, Bob, for the opportunities we missed in extending our friendships to you on a daily basis.
In your your quiet presence, you never seemed to shy away from sharing a wave hello, to inquire about expertise that could solve a problem, ask how life is going, and share how life was for you.
As difficult and awkward as goodbyes can be, we your neighborhood community want to say thank you for being our neighbor, our friend, and for sharing your life with us. We already miss you living two houses up the street.
Mr Rogers once said; I believe that appreciation is a Holy thing; that when we look for whats Best in a person we happen to be with at the moment, were doing what God does all the time. So in Loving and appreciating our neighbor, were participating in something Sacred.
Thank you Bob for being our neighbor, our friend, and an all around good guy.
May your soul now Rest In Peace.
Chris Berg
12/02/2021
My condolences to the family and friends. I am richer for having been Bobs' friend and sharing life with him in the Army and after. I am going to share stories of Bob for the rest of my life. There really are a lot. Miss you friend.
Denise (Bowers) Halls
12/02/2021
Rest in Peace Bob. I remember you from school and you always were kind and friendly. Old spirit but young heart. My condolences to your loved ones.
Robin Connett
12/01/2021
Rest in peace Bob, you were a great friend and will be truly missed. My sincere prayers for you family.
Aunt Kathryn England
11/30/2021
Rest in Peace dear nephew. You were so good to your family, and will be greatly missed.