Fredrick Basford White

September 28, 1931 - December 30, 2019

Posted

Honor is Not a Word, But a Way of Life

Fredrick Basford White (Col. Ret.), a resident of Port Townsend, Washington died on December 30, 2019. Fred was born and raised in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, the eighth of nine children to Joseph Warren White and Rena Violet Bowering White. He grew up tending the family farm and working at the local filling station. He spent summers at “camp” with a friend learning to sail, waterski and fish on Lake Winnipesaukee.

Fred’s farm upbringing would ultimately pay off in an unlikely way. While studying Forestry at the University of New Hampshire, he entered the greased pig contest at the Freshman Fair on a whim. That caught the attention of fellow student Nancy Swift. He won that race, and soon thereafter Nancy’s heart. They married and embarked on a life’s adventure that lasted 67 years. Fred was commissioned in the Army following graduation and so began his military career. He retired as a Colonel in the United States Army, proudly serving 25 years. With honor, he served in post-war Europe and Korea and also the Vietnam conflict. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star for heroic service in a combat zone and several meritorious awards. Proud, yet humble he would never boast of his military accomplishments. Stoic and stubborn, we never knew the stories behind these prestigious awards.

Despite the challenge of frequent military service moves, Fred helped raise 4 children, developed lasting friendships, traveled and enjoyed nature. From Germany to Alaska and all places between, Fred was an avid naturalist. He learned to sail, fish and fly, especially enjoying the wilds of Alaska. He skied the White Mountains of New Hampshire in his youth and enjoyed the slopes well into his 70’s. He was a skilled craftsman, building his retirement home and helping complete many projects with his children. He camped and fished with grandchildren, instilling in them the honor and integrity in which he raised his own children. In retirement he traveled with Nancy throughout the world, embracing new countries and cultures and cruising the high seas.

He is survived by his wife Nancy Swift White, daughter Leslie (Jim), sons Jeffrey (Flora), Christopher (Karen) and Steven (Kim) and his sister Martha Baxter (Harry). He has 10 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brothers Joseph Jr, George, Albert and Alvin, and by his sisters Violet, Ella and Rena.

Colonel (Ret) Fred B. White was buried at 1300 on January 9, 2020 at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington. He was given final military honors for his selfless service to our country.