Thomas Lester White

Thomas White, 83, passed away on Thursday, November 4, 2021, in Hanover, Pennsylvania.

Tom was born in Omaha, Nebraska, to Gertrude Ann (Stander) and Kenneth V. White. He graduated from Central High School in Springfield, Missouri, and went on to earn a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Kansas. After graduation he joined York Division Borg Warner in York, Pennsylvania, as a senior design engineer, then returned to the Midwest as a principal engineer with Monsanto Company in St. Louis. He returned to Pennsylvania in 2000 when he and his wife, Kathryn, purchased and operated The Beechmont Inn Bed & Breakfast.

Music was one of Tom’s greatest passions. He shared his baritone voice in performances with the York Symphony Chamber Singers and Chorus for many years, and as a soloist and performer with opera companies, choruses, and church choirs throughout his life. A camera was always in his hands recording family celebrations, events with friends, and travels throughout the back roads of the United States and in Europe. Covered bridges, old train stations, and aspen were subjects he always sought out to capture on film.

Tom was an elder in the Presbyterian Church. He was a member of the Hanover Rotary, served on the Board of Directors of the Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce, chaired the Tourism Committee, and was a part of the team that created and installed the Hanover wayfinding signage for the Battle of Hanover. Throughout his professional career Tom authored and presented technical papers and journal articles as an ASME and ASHRAE member.

His family was the center of his life, and his life enriched them with his kind and gentle presence, and generous heart. Tom is survived by his wife of 33 years, Kathryn; daughters Allison White of St. Louis and Anne White Peacock and husband, Stephen, of St. Louis; granddaughter Victoria Peacock of Cleveland, Ohio; grandson Andrew Peacock of Washington, D.C.; brother John White of Chicago and his wife, Joyce; and nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws. Tom was preceded in death by his son, Thomas Montgomery White and his first wife, Nathalie Anne (Smith) White.

A memorial service will be at Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church in St. Louis, Missouri, at 10am on Wednesday, November 10. Memorial gifts to celebrate Tom’s love of music may be made to Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, 210 Hazel Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63119; or to Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church, Music and Arts Fund, 9450 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO 63124.

Hoffman Funeral Home in Carlisle is assisting family with local arrangements. To sign guestbook please visit www.HoffmanFH.com.