Russell WhiteA dedicated volunteer with USA Swimming for more than 25 years, he passed away on May 11, 2024 at the age of 82.
Born in 1941, White was the oldest of four children and grew up in Lamarque, Texas, before moving to Houston. As a teenager, White was an avid football player, but his passion for swimming didn’t come until much later.
White attended North Texas State University and then took a leave of absence to enlist in the U.S. Air Force, serving for four years.
After his military service, he returned to college, earned a degree in business administration, and went on to have a long career in the insurance industry, including as president of Paul R. White & Company.
White began volunteering as a swim meet referee after his daughters, Kristen and Karen, joined neighborhood swim teams as children. He later served as a team volunteer and officer for the Dad’s Club YMCA swim team in Houston, Texas, and was the recipient of the Dad’s Club YMCA Volunteer of the Year award in 1983.
Over the years, White became a national presence within USA Swimming and volunteered at club, collegiate, national and international competitions. In the state of Texas alone, he officiated hundreds of local age group, high school and statewide competitions, including the Texas Age Group Swimming Championships.
In addition to assisting at competitions, he served in roles such as National Marketing Chair and National Insurance Committee Chair for USA Swimming. Mr. White was appointed to the board of directors of the International Swimming Federation (FINA), a position he held for over 12 years.
The USA Swimming Committee of Officials awarded White the Kenneth J. Pettigrew Award in 1989 in recognition of his many years of dedication to the sport.
White is survived by two daughters, four grandchildren, two sisters and five nieces and nephews. The family plans to hold a memorial service on June 30.
