Bob was born on July 10, 1954, to Robert and Winona White in Massena, New York. He graduated from Potsdam Central School in 1974, where everyone knew him by the name “Bubba.” He married his high school sweetheart, Trudy, on August 16, 1975. Bob died suddenly on December 5, 2019, while at a neighbor’s working house fire.

Bob was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and a dedicated volunteer firefighter. He was a member of the West Stockholm Fire Department for 40+ years, many of those as chief. His first year in the department he received Fireman of the Year, the first of many awards. To quote one of his brother firefighters who gave the eulogy, “Bob was a leader and role model that taught teamwork, respect, and safety. He always held a high standard where good enough just wasn’t good enough. Bob always showed professionalism, pride, and compassion and made sure that his firefighters did the same. He always made sure to go to the first class for the new firefighters at the training center and always made a connection with them. He always wanted his firefighters to be well-prepared, trained, and safe. He was their mentor and friend, leaving his mark on many.”

Bob worked at ALCOA in Massena, New York, starting after his high school graduation as a guard and retiring from there on the Emergency Response Team. Bob was also on the fire brigade at ALCOA and always made sure they had the right equipment and training and were always safe. Bob also sold fire equipment in St. Lawrence County, which included air pack servicing, and always made sure every department had the equipment they needed.

Bob enjoyed taking his sons to the fire station when they were younger, and they always knew all the truck numbers and names. Then when his grandchildren were old enough, they too went to the station and training center and learned the number and names of the trucks.

Bob was a loving and devoted family man and always made time for travel, concerts, and sporting events. He so loved his grandchildren and would always find fun things to do with them. He will always be in their hearts.

Bob is survived by his wife, Trudy; his two sons, Nicholas and his wife, Adrienne; Jason and his partner, Doug; grandchildren, Fletcher, Reagan, and Miles; and his firefighter brothers. “Dispatch, 48-1, I’m out.” “Dispatch, Car 7, I’m out.”