Obituary of Brian Colin White

Dr. Brian Colin White, 68, of Centre Hall, died Monday, March 5, 2018, at home from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig Disease). Born May 19, 1949, in Wyandotte, Michigan, he was the son of the late John Thomas (J.T.) and Elsie Verna McQueen White. On August 14, 1971 he married M. Dawn Melton, who survives. Also surviving are two daughters, Lisa Dawn White and her husband, Michael Sean Warnock of Downingtown, and Susan White Stewart and her husband, John Andrew (Drew), of State College and two grandchildren, Will and Katie Stewart. Brian was a 1967 graduate of State College Area High School. He received a Bachelor's degree from Penn State University in 1971 and a Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the Temple University School of Dentistry in 1975. Brian established his own dental practice in State College on July 1, 1975. He retired on June 1, 2015 from White Roan and Associates. Outside of being a skilled dentist, Brian was also an amateur handyman — his family will especially miss his ability to fix almost anything. His tinkering ranged from the newest technologies to plumbing, carpentry and landscaping. In his later years, Brian had become a budding naturalist, he hiked the better part of Mt. Nittany most days with his neighbors from his "backyard" in Linden Hall, always on the lookout for Pennsylvania wildlife. He found respite along the banks of Pine Creek, and was starting to enjoy kayaking and biking along the rails to trails. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren whether it was swimming, skiing, or flying rockets and drones. He was teaching his grandson, Will, how to ride a motorcycle. Anyone that knew Brian knows that he had a passion for just about anything with an engine, especially sports cars, collector cars and motorcycles. He enjoyed working on his engines but also loved the freedom that he felt on a motorcycle and spent much of his free time "out on a ride". Brian was an active member of the community for most of his life. Most notably, he was a long time member of the board of directors at Tussey Mountain and served as the president for several years. His family reports that he was touched to learn that a new slope had recently been named after him (the Doc White). He also volunteered his dental skills at Centre Volunteers in Medicine. Visitation will be from 1 until 3 p.m. and 6 until 8 p.m., on Friday, March 16, 2018 at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 South Atherton Street, State College. Memorial service will be at 11 a.m., on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at the funeral home with the Chaplain Jeffrey Stormer officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to The ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter, more information can be found at www.alsphiladelphia.org Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.