Receiving awards is nothing new for Brother White. A decorated member of the U.S. Navy and prominent figure in the Phoenix community, he has helped promote and secure the economic development of the city. Bob has received five different citations of merit from five different Arizona governors for his service to the state in economic development. The Phoenix Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce awarded him with its “Man of the Year Award” for outstanding service to the city. He has received honors from various Arizona Indian Centers for his service to Indian Peoples.
As far as the University of Arizona is concerned, Brother White’s greatest contribution was when he penned the original design of Wilbur the Wildcat. One of the most enduring and popular athletic symbols in the state, Brother White was awarded an honorary letterman in 1999 for his creation of the mascot. Even his undergraduate record displays a remarkable amount of distinction. He was a member of the Sophos Men’s Honorary and a cartoonist for both the Arizona Daily Wildcat newspaper and the Kitty Kat humor magazine. At the conclusion of his college career in 1949, he was awarded “UA Student Man of the Year.”
Bob, a U.S. Naval aviator, was recalled to active duty at the start of the Korean War. He logged over 1200 flying hours in various aircrafts, including transports, anti-submarine planes and high-performance jet fighters.
At the age of 76, Brother White has kept up a strong bond with Kappa Sigma brothers of his generation as well as others from distant chapters and from different generations. Both his brother Paul and son Kent are Kappa Sigma alums.
