Bruce Waterman White

BEND, ORE. Bruce W. White, 59, attorney at law, passed away peacefully March 15, 2015, with his wife, Catharine Tilton White, and family at his side. Born Jan. 11, 1956, in Ashland, Ky., raised in Camden, Maine and a 1974 graduate of Camden-Rockport High School, Bruce attended Tufts University, where he earned a bachelors degree. He later traveled west and received his J.D. from the University of Oregon. He spent his entire professional life in Bend,Or., a community and an environment that he loved dearly. Bruce leaves his beloved Cathy and is survived by his parents, Dr. Henry O. and Marian R. White, of Rockland; and siblings, Stephen and his wife, Maggie, of Stonington, Conn.; Jonathan and his wife, Jen, of Carmel, Calif.; Sarah Waltz and her husband, Ken, of South Thomaston; and nephews Brandon, Parker, Spencer and Nathan; and niece, Baker. He is also survived by his in-laws, David and Mary Tilton, of Santa Barbara, Calif; his brothers-in-law, Peter and Mike and his wife, Cecy; and his daughter-in-law, Jenny Tansey; and nieces and nephews. Bruce was passionate about many things in life beginning with sailing. It is safe to say that his love and care for the environment found its genesis on Penobscot Bay, where he and his immediate family and his best friends sailed every summer. He excelled at navigation, including using celestial navigation while sailing and racing on the Maine coast, including numerous Monhegan Island Races on the sloop Kolibri. Even while in Bend, a high desert climate, Bruce found a way to be on the ocean on either the East or West coast. His life in Bend was in many ways defined by his love of the outdoors, and his personal interests diversified further to include cross-country skiing, hiking and fly fishing. Music was a focal point in Bruces life, joyfully singing in the Congregational Church choir in Maine, and the Cascade Choral in Bend. He also excelled at playing the piano, harpsichord, and the organ. Bruce was well read and loved the art of legal writing and editing, including working as a copy editor at International Marine Publishing in Camden before attending law school. He was an active community member throughout his adult life being voted to the Camden Area School Board in 1980 and serving on several boards and task force groups throughout his career. His love for civics and politics played an active role in his engagement in local and national politics. Bruces law career had a profoundly positive impact on Bend, as he was a constant champion for the community, believing strongly in the need to build and develop the community smartly. His work at Deschutes County, including testifying before Congress on the State of Oregons Scenic Waterways for the Deschutes River, and later his private law practice sought a land-use system that was fair to landowners, but which protected the natural resources and quality of life that are vital to those local communities for today and tomorrow. Always an active community volunteer, Bruce mentored local students through The Classroom Law Project and was a co-founder and longtime board member of the Deschutes Land Trust. Bruce worked with county planners to help form Bends first National Register historic district, the Old Town Historic District, where he owned a historic house. As a member of the Deschutes County Historical Societys board of directors since 2009, he was proud to become president of the board in 2014 and oversee the start of renovations at the Des Chutes Historical Museum. Bruces personal interest in genealogy led him to become highly engaged with the Bend Genealogical Society and to weave together his familys fascinating past. A private funeral service will be held. A memorial service to celebrate Bruces life will be held in Bend May 2 at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 230 NE Ninth St., and a reception for all will follow. Additionally, a memorial service will be held in Maine at a later date. Memorial contributions, should anyone desire, are to be directed to Deschutes Land Trust, 210 NW Irving, Ste. 102, Bend, Ore. 97701; to Deschutes County Historical Society, 129 NW Idaho Ave., Bend, Ore. 97701; to Partners in Care Hospice House, 2075 NE Wyatt Court, Bend, Ore. 97701; or to St. Charles Foundation Infusion Center (in memory of Bruce W. White), 2500 NE Neff Rd., Bend, Ore. 97701. Funeral Home: Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home New 105 NW Irving Ave Bend, OR US 97701

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Bruce Waterman White

January 11, 1956 - March 15, 2015