Robert H. White

Robert H. White, Houston, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at the Temple University Hospital of Philadelphia, he was 73. Mr. White was born in Milford, DE to the late, Henry S. “Smokey” and Clara E. White.

Mr. White served his country in the Unites State Navy for 4 years active and 2 years in the reserves. Over the years, Mr. White has held various jobs. He was an auto mechanic for I.G. Burton for several years before deciding to go to college and learn welding. He then went to weld for Joseph T. Richardson for several years and then for Baltimore Air Coil For several more. The job that he was most known for was selling parts for Napa in Dover and mainly in Harrington, something he enjoyed tremendously. After leaving Napa, he briefly worked at Manlove Auto Parts delivering auto parts until he retired.

After retiring, he enjoyed relaxing and watching TV, mainly the ME TV channel. He also enjoyed cooking and baking regularly and making sure dinner was on the table when his wife Debbie came home from work. Throughout his life, Mr. White was into classic cars. His “other baby” was a 1967 Nova that he kept in top shape and enjoyed taking it to car shows. From late April till September, every weekend was a different car show that he and Debbie participated in. Another favorite hobby was drag racing. For over 20 years, every spring were trips to Englishtown, NJ to watch the drag races and to Bristol and Maple Grove to watch. He made many friends over the years with car shows and drag racing. Mr. White had a close relationship with his grandson Dylan and travelled with him all over the East Coast to watch Dylan compete in the Nationals for BMX Racing. He not only watched but always volunteered at the track for anything that needed maintenance and even volunteered as a turn official on the track.

Mr. White was a former member of the Harrington Fire Company and brief member of the Harrington Moose Lodge.

Mr. White was known for his stubborn and strong willed personality, but his stubbornness came from a place of love and caring. He would do anything for you, if you called him day or night, he would be right there to help. He was truly a loving husband, dad, and pop-pop and will be sadly missed.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a great granddaughter, Gracyn Alicia White, and a brother-in-law, Ronald J. “Ron” Nicholls.

He is survived by his wife, Deborah “Debbie” White; daughter, Jennifer White; grandson, Dylan S. White (Kaylee Mason), great granddaughter, Lyla Grace White; sister, Joan White Nicholls; niece, Jessica Nicholls (Christian) Mease; great nieces, Summer and Autumn Mease.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the Thomas E. Melvin & Son Funeral Home, 15522 S. DuPont Hwy., Harrington, at 11 AM, with a visitation for family and friends starting at 10 AM. Please dress casual as Mr. White did not like to dress up.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Harrington Fire Company or a favorite charity of choice.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Thomas E. Melvin & Son Funeral Home, please visit us at www.melvinfuneralhome.com to express or send condolences.