Andre Russe White

Andre was the oldest of the five White children who grew up together in the California of the 1950's, 60's and 70's. His siblings remember him as a level-headed older brother who was always there for them.

He had an enthusiasm for sports which merged with a passion for civil rights during his high school years in the 1960's. Family members recall the poster he hung in his bedroom of black Olympic medalists John Carlos and Tommie Smith offering up the clenched fist Black Power salute as they accepted their medals at the 1968 Mexico City games.

Interest in physical activity and sports were reflected by lifelong bicycling. He logged uncounted thousands of miles on his road bikes, completing many satisfying long days in the saddle. Another enduring interest was music. He sang in his high school choir, enjoyed playing the bass guitar and ukulele, and DJ'ing many dances.

To his brothers and sister, he often stressed the importance of education and provided an example to them with his own college career. Reflecting his fascination with the physicality of sports, he earned a B.S. degree in kinesiology, the science of human body movement, from UCLA in 1979.

His greatest love, however, was for his twin daughters, Sadie and Emma, whom he parented with his wife, Cindy. When he bathed them, he encouraged them to splash the bath water because "baths should be fun." Although at least one bathroom was ruined by their "fun," he didn't mind. When Cindy had to work late, he would attach a bike trailer to his bicycle and take them with him as he ran errands around the neighborhood.

Family vacations were special for Andre, and he tried to take Cindy and the girls somewhere every year. He truly loved family life, treasured his children, and leaves them a legacy of physical activity, education, and devotion to loved ones.