Guest Post: A Eulogy for Chris White
From Representative John Kowalko (D-Newark):
I’ve known Chris White for over four years, working with him intimately over a nine month period to produce the Foreclosure Mediation Program. No one brought more knowledge, enthusiasm and dedication to crafting the successful creation of that program and, simply put, it probably would not exist today without Chris. His energy and perseverance was boundless when it came to working for anyone in need. Affordable Housing, rights of the less fortunate or tirelessly advocating for the manufactured housing community, (one of Chris’ most beloved projects), these bore the mark of Chris White.
Seldom has a person been as imbued with the soul of a saint as has Chris. Sometimes we meet a person who not only transcends the ordinary but rises to a new height; a pinnacle that we couldn’t imagine was attainable, and that was Chris. He epitomized a rare combination of intelligence, compassion and selflessness in his work and his work was his pleasure. He was driven to help those who most needed help and give voice to those who struggled to have their voices heard. Chris White was an irreplaceable part of all that makes us human and I will miss him forever.
Mr. White was killed in a hit and run incident on Wednesday in Wilmington.
My condolences to Mr. White’s friends and family. Thank you, Rep. Kowalko, for your tribute.
thanks, well said.
keep his family in your prayers.
a senseless tragedy.
I didn’t know Mr. White, but it’s obvious Delaware needs many more people like him.
Chris was pivotal player in the establishment of the NCC Rental Code. Although he and I only got to talk five or six times over the years, he was one of the nicest people I ever met.
If you speak to people like Chris Coons and others who have gotten to work more directly with Chris, they too would hold him in the highest regard.
I would recommend everyone who didn’t know Chris to read stories that are being written about him and his life.
There’s a suspect in the hit-and-run.
Sorrowfully, submitted to the White Family & Colleagues Mr. White was a kind, knowledgeable, thoughtful, and caring person he will be deeply missed. I pray that God strenghthen the White Family in your time of need. Former student: Springfield College School Human Services Class of 2008.
Chris worked as an Adjunct Professor w/Springfield College and I had the pleasure of being a student in two of his classes. His passion for upholding civil rights and sharing ways for us all to join “the good fight” was inspiring. He taught us all about the importance of making a difference not simply through words but in deed. We have lost an outstanding advocate but most importantly – a wonderful human being! My prayers are with his family.
Chris worked closely with the Delaware Manufactured Home Owners Association, and with individual homeowners in desperate need of help in keeping their homes.He was passionate in his defense of the “little guy”, his love of people and his desire to make a difference radiated from him. The world has lost a truly good man.
Heartbreaking news, he was such a good person.
If we are very fortunate, a rare human being comes into our lives, a selfless individual whose main goal in life is to help others, especially those most in need. Chris White was one of those extraordinary people. It has been my great honor and joy to work with him over the years and his friendship has been a precious gift. Special thanks to Chris’ family for sharing him with all of us. You’re in my thoughts and my prayers.
Chris was a childhood friend of mine, whom I haven’t seen in almost 20 years. But the tributes to this kind and dedicated man made me recall my classmate, who always stuck up for the “little kids,” the kids others bullied or scorned. He was never afraid to speak his mind and stand up for what was right. He also had a great sense of humor, loved disco, and was quite an actor as a teen. His photo, posted with the news article, shows a man with the same twinkle in his eye I remember from high school. I’ll keep him, his wonderful family, Howdy, and Donna in my prayers. Rest in peace, Chris. I miss you.
Has it been suggested the building be named in Mr. White’s honor and memory? If not now, when?
I’ve known Chris for 48 years, and almost 49. I’d like to thank all of you for your kind words. My wife let me know about this , and I think that it is great. The one thing good that can come of this is if we all take a good look at our own lives, and try to do something good for others. I’m not a lawyer like my brother, but there are things that I can do to try to live by my little brothers example. Buy lunch for a hungry person, give time to a food kitchen, go work for habitat. We all have things that make us special, use those things to help others and my brothers torch will continue to burn.
With Love and encouragement,
George (howdy) White
The gallery at Shipley Lofts is being named in Chris’s honor.
I last spoke to Chris on April 9 at Shipley. I took my parents over to show them the building, and introduced them to Chris. We talked for a little while, Chris sharing the story of how Shipley came about. He was on top of the world and so excited to see it becoming a reality. My mom told me this morning that she and my dad talked about Chris for the next couple of days — that brief encounter made such an impression. It’s hard to put into words.
Chris was my cousin. We were the same age, so were in the same year at school from K through 12. I agree with what Christine wrote, that even at school, Chris always stuck up for the little guys. If there was a kid that no one else wanted to be friends with, Chris became that person’s friend. Chris was voted ‘best all round’ in our Senior class.
I’m incredibly proud of the work Chris did in Deleware. As Howdy has suggested, reading the stories about Chris has motivated me to examine my own life and to consider how I might become just a little bit more like my dear cousin.
Andie, Josh, Kayla, Aunt Donna and Howdy are all in my thoughts and prayers. I will carry the memories of Chris – his smile, his laughter, his crazy pranks, his goodness, his love – with me in my heart forever.