Robert Philip White, retired President of the White Cap Company and Vice President of Continental Can Company died in his Northbrook home on December 4, 2005 at the age of 82.

He was a lifetime Chicago area resident and also of La Jolla, California. The White Cap Company was a leader in the food packaging field using vacuum sealed closures on food products.

Mr. White was born in Brooklyn, NY and moved to Glencoe, Il. in his early childhood. He attended New Trier High School, Notre Dame University and entered the Army Airforce, becoming a pilot during World War II. With his engineering background, he became a test pilot and flew many different types of single and multi engine aircraft. He continued his passion for flying in civilian life obtaining his commercial pilots license.

He joined the White Cap Company, founded by his father and two uncles, after he was honorably discharged from the service as a lieutenant in 1945. Mr. White(tm)s father and uncles were pioneers in packaging who invented the Vapor Vacuum Seal Process and using metal closures on glass jars. This allowed consumers to see what the food looked like in the jar versus metal cans at the time and kept foods fresh with a long shelf life. Eventually White Cap adapted the twist off cap into the Vapor Vacuum Seal process that is in use around the world today. Mr. White worked in every phase of the business and the company was purchased by Continental Can Company in 1956. Bob White became President of White Cap and a Vice President of Continental Can Company in 1961.

Under his helm, the Company grew dramatically from one manufacturing plant in Chicago employing over 3,500 employees to a global enterprise with multiple plants in the U.S. and under licensing arrangements in 29 countries. He also helped develop and held the patent on the Tamper Proof Pop Top cap that is used today on many food products including baby food, preserves, pickles, etc. At one time Mr. Whites(tm) closures were being used on every bottle of ketchup manufactured around the world. He would enjoy coming into someone(tm)s home and saying I(tm)m probably not 50 feet from one of my products and lo and behold there it would be in the pantry or refrigerator. His success was based on loyal employees whom he treated as family and had much pride in the company. He retired from White Cap Company in 1983 after 38 years of service.

Mr. White was known for his warm and kind spirit toward everyone who knew him. He possessed a wonderful people person personality able to put people at ease and always had a quick wit making those around him laugh.

He served for many years and was instrumental as an Officer and Director on the Board of the W.P. & H.B. White Foundation, started by his parents. The foundation supports charitable organizations in the Chicago area that contribute to the future good of the country primarily in the areas of education, health and human services with an emphasis on helping those most in need.

Robert White is survived by his devoted and loving wife Marie, nee Kashul, loving father of his sons Robert Jr. of Yosemite, Ca, Terrence of Ft. Myers, FL, Steven (Patti) of Dallas and daughter Valerie (Tom) Rizzoli of Houston. His third son, John B. (Michelle) White preceeded him in death in 1995. He is loving grandfather to nine grandchildren; Alexandra, Christine, Adam, Andrew, Danielle White, Kristin ( Kevin) Lin, Jennifer (Bryan) Brush, Patrick and Cristina Rizzoli; great grandfather of Dylan and Gracie Brush; brother of Alice Barr of Pittsburgh, PA, Roger B. (Francine) of Atlanta, GA. and the late Virginia McCortney, Hazel Skillin and William P. White, Jr.; uncle of many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated by his nephew, Rev. James P. Clifford, on Saturday December 10, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Norbert Church, 1809 Walters Avenue, Northbrook, Illinois, Interment private.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, 820 Davis Street, Suite 340, Evanston, Illinois 60201 or Charity of your choice.

Robert Philip White obituary

Robert Philip White (1923)