Colonel Richard Leon White, U.S. Army-retired, of Springfield, Va., passed away on April 23, 2016.

He was predeceased by his wife, Shirley Hudgins White of Port Haywood. He was 86 years old, and is survived by their daughter, Debra Elizabeth Watson of The Villages, Florida, and their son, Richard Hudgins White of New York, New York.  

He is also survived by his sisters, Jean White of Florence, Oregon; Audrey Wilson (Leonard) of Bristol, Tennessee; his son-in-law, Dr. John William Watson, along with many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his sisters, Winifred Thomas of Onemo, Helen White of Williamsburg, and Mildred Lynn of West Point.   

Colonel White was born in 1929 in Bohannon to Holland Lee White and Hattie Reed White. A graduate of Peninsula School and Mathews High School, he received his college degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute through the ROTC, and a Master’s Degree in Education at Sam Houston State College in Huntsville, Texas. Over a 30 year military career, he served for two years (1963-64) as an advisor in Vietnam and completed tours of duty in Iran and Germany, where he led an air defense artillery battalion. He also completed three assignments at the Pentagon, including in the Inspector General’s office with oversight of U.S. military operations in Europe, and traveled extensively around the world. 

Colonel White will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery later this summer. Additional details regarding his service will be provided at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Family and friends may share condolences and memories at www.dignitymemorial.com.