Alvin V White

White, Alvin Vane

Alvin Vane White was born May 18, 1924 in Anoka County, Minnesota to parents Alfred and Elsa White. He grew up in the Forest Lake/Wyoming, Minnesota area, graduating from Forest Lake High School's class of 1942. His parents and two brothers, Robert and Melvin preceded him in death. He joined the Army Air Force upon graduating from high school. He was a pilot, serving in the Pacific theater until October, 1946, subsequently joining the Air Force reserve. He continued his pilot career with Northwest Airline, as a corporate pilot with Rupert Dyecasting in Kansas City, and as a partner and glider instructor in Mid-America Soaring. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1951 majoring in geology. Upon graduation, Al began his business career with Standard Oil. He then became general manager of Homestead Manufacturing in Bloomington, Minnesota. In 1966 Al became Vice President of Ace Electric Corporation in Kansas City, after working as their National Sales Manager. In 1967 he married Shirley Eckerson Marsh. They moved to Ithaca, NY in 1971 where Shirley joined the Cornell University faculty and Al set up his private business, S & A Auto Electric in Lansing, NY. Al served the community as member and chairman of the Lansing Planning Board for 14 years. He is survived by his wife, Shirley, three sons - Kenneth (Jeanne) of Groton, NY, Wayne (Sandy) of Oskaloosa, Kansas and James (Connie) of Marietta, Oklahoma; six grand and five great grandchildren; cousins in Minnesota; nephews and nieces in Nebraska, Colorado and Washington states. He will be greatly missed by his long time friend, and remaining member of Al's B-24 crew in WWII, Ollie J. Stevenson of Dallas, Texas and his special fishing buddy in Aransas Pass, Texas, Larry Stevens. Al passed away on August 10, 2012. A memorial service will take place at the Groton City Church of Christ at 4:00 p.m. September 23. Reception following.