JESSE EDMUND WHITE

Jesse Edmund White died suddenly on May 1, 2016 at the age of 88. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Betty Evans White, three children Janet Ruth White, James Edmund White and Douglas Gardner White, and three grandchildren Luci White, Sarah White and Elizabeth White.

Jed was born on June 9, 1927. He attended the Virginia Military Institute and graduated as an officer in the U.S. Army. After the war he earned his doctorate in chemistry at Indiana University, where he and Betty met. He entered academia, teaching first at Lafayette College, doing research at the nuclear reactor in Oak Ridge, TN, then teaching for 43 years at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, where he served as Chair of the Chemistry Department. Sabbatical years were spent in England, living in Ealing and Islington, as were multiple vacations. In later years his research interest was in the history of science.

It might be a surprise to many that Jed was athletic all his life, from varsity wrestling in high school to winning a medal in the Edwardsville Senior Olympics in long jump. He was a ping-pong champion in college, and played volleyball with his children for much of his life. He was a precision hitter in softball, putting the ball where the outfielder wasn’t in church leagues, and was a devoted Cardinals fan.

Jed was fascinated by genealogy and traced the family line back through the Mayflower into England. A confirmed environmentalist, he was a member and supporter of the Sierra Club and World Wildlife Fund. He was a stamp collector, specializing in U.S. and Scandinavian issues. In recent years his favorite pastime was reading mystery novels; he leaves a collection of first-in-a-series novels that overflows the bookshelves. He loved to play games, especially card games, at which he excelled.

An exemplary husband, a beloved and loving father and grandfather, Jed will be sorely missed by family and friends. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent in memory of J. Edmund White, “Chemistry Development Fund,” at SIUE Foundation, Campus Box 1082, Edwardsville, IL 62026.