Russell White, a dedicated volunteer within USA Swimming for over 25 years, died at the age of 82 on May 11, 2024.
Born in 1941, White was the eldest of four children growing up in LaMarque, Texas before moving to Houston. As a teenager, White was an avid football player; it was not until much later in life that he became involved with swimming.
White attended North Texas State University before taking a break to enlist in the United States Air Force, where he served for four years.
He returned to college after his service and received a degree in business administration, going on to enjoy a long and active career in the insurance industry, including becoming President of Paul R. White & Company.
White began volunteering as a swim meet official when his daughters, Kristen and Karen, joined their neighborhood swim team as children. He went on to serve as a team volunteer and board member for the Dad’s Club YMCA Swim Team in Houston, Texas, and in 1983 received the Dad’s Club YMCA Volunteer of the Year honor.
Over the years, White became a national figure in the USA Swimming organization, volunteering at club, collegiate, national and international competitions. In Texas alone, he officiated hundreds of local age group, high school and statewide meets including the Texas Age Group Swimming championships.
Outside of helping at meets, he served in roles such as National Marketing Chairman and National Insurance Committee Chairman for USA Swimming. White was appointed as an official of Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA), a role in which he stayed for over 12 years.
USA Swimming’s Officials Committee honored White with the Kenneth J. Pettigrew award in 1989, celebrating his long standing dedication to the sport.
White is survived by his two daughters, four grandchildren, two sisters and five nieces and nephews. The family will be holding a celebration of life on June 30.
I believe he was the starter for Janet’s 400IM race (and Gold) at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, no? I remember his name from watching that race a million times as a kid. RIP sir.