Robert "Bob" Howell White

Robert (Bob) Howell White, Jr, 85, of Bloomington, Indiana, died peacefully on December 13, 2025 at IU Hospice House in Bloomington after a prolonged illness. Bob was born on June 8, 1940 to Robert Howell and Geneva (Clark) White in Nashville, TN. He grew up in Nashville and graduated as valedicatorian from Central High School in 1958. He earned his B.A. in Religion and Philosophy and English Literature, graduating magna cum laude, from Bethel College, McKenzie, TN in 1962. On June 7, 1963, he married Johnnie Robinson, whom he met at Bethel. They shared 62 years of loving partnership. In the Fall of 1962, he entered Vanderbilt Divinity School, Nashville TN where he earned a Master of Divinity, receiving the Founder’s Medal for Excellence and Comprehensive Honors. Later, in 1970, he earned the Doctor of Divinity at Vanderbilt. Bob was ordained in 1965 in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and later transferred to the Presbyterian Church (USA) where he served in active ministry for over 40 years. He served as Minister of Christian Education and Minister to the Community at Tabernacle Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis, IN; Associate Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Bloomington, IN; Director of Monroe County United Ministries, Bloomington, IN, ; Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Martinsville, IN; Associate Synod Executive, Synod of Mid-America, Overland Park, KS; and Synod Executive, Synod of the Northeast, Syracuse, NY. He retired in 2003 and was an honorably retired member of Ohio Valley Presbytery. While in Bloomington, he developed The Portable Learning Center, a Christian Education resource library, which with his wife published a newsletter and resources, as well as, conducted workshops and seminars. During the years as Associate Synod Executive and later Synod Executive, Bob led mission seminars to Central America, South Africa, and Madagascar and organized and led “Inside Washington” seminars for Presbyterian groups. In 1997, he received the Presbyterian Washington Office’s 50th Anniversary Award for Leadership in “Speaking Truth to Power”. Throughout his ministry, he held a passion for justice and peace. Bob was preceded in death by his father, mother and brother Elzie Thomas White. He is survived by wife Johnnie White; son Trey (Laura) White, Chicago, IL; son Tim (Angela) White, Chicago, IL and sister Ora Mai Rainey, Lexington, KY. Allen Funeral Home, Bloomington, IN is in charge of arrangements. Private services will be held in Tennessee in the Spring. The family encourages you to honor Bob’s memory with random acts of kindness in your own community and beyond.

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Robert "Bob" Howell White

June 8, 1940 - December 13, 2025