Richard Orlan White

Richard Orlan White, age 70, passed away peacefully in his home in Beebe, Arkansas on June 10. He was beloved by his many friends, family, and students.  Richard was the son of Verlon (VC) and Thelma Irene (Short) White and was born in Pryor, OK. Having spent most of his youth in Beebe, Richard  was awarded the Eagle Scout Badge by the Boy Scouts of America in 1962 along with thirteen other local boys, which set a national record that holds to this day.  A 1968 graduate from Arkansas State University, Richard continued his education and became a Certified Financial Planner at the College for Financial Planning in Centennial, CO.
Richard lived in High Point, NC for 30 years where he raised his beloved family before moving back to Beebe, AR to become the town's unofficial historian.
Richard had a great love for Central Arkansas and its people.  He collaborated and wrote newspaper articles and books on local history and was presented the Chloe Pressley Writing Award from the White County Historical Society for his book Those Were the Days:  A Look into the Past of Beebe and other Communities in the Area.
Richard's warm smile and good cheer were brought to all of his interests through the years, which included coaching youth sports in North Carolina, coaching the BBHS Quiz Bowl team, serving as the statistician for the Badger Football team, and selling his handmade cutting boards at the Little Rock River Market Farmer's Market.
Richard had the uncanny ability to attract the attention of lifestyle reporters and was the subject of many human interest stories throughout the years, which included a feature in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette about cooking homemade spaghetti bolognese in Tuscany, Italy for his future Italian-American in-laws at his daughter's wedding's rehearsal dinner and a TV spot on Arkansas Matters, which featured his Arkansas shaped wooden cutting boards.
Richard is survived by his three children: daughter, Kristin White and husband Nick Montalto; daughter, Kara White; son, Kameron White and wife Silva Emilyan White; grandchildren, Gabrielle Montalto, Chandler White, and Carmen White; sister, Beverly Darwin and husband Gary Darwin; numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews; and friends whom he considered family, Linda Brown and Jay Lilley.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Beebe at 11:00am on Friday, June 24.