Maurice White

Madison - Maurice (Maury) E. White, age 95, passed away on Saturday, March 15, 2014, at Oakwood Village University Woods, where he died peacefully after years living with Alzheimer's disease. He was born December 14, 1918, on the family farm near Clam Falls, Wisconsin. Maury was one of seven children born to George and Geraldine (Fogle) White. After graduating from Ashland High School in 1938, he entered the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he majored in Agricultural Journalism. With one semester remaining for his bachelor's degree, Maury was drafted into the U.S. Army and served four years in various countries around the world. He concluded his military career at General Douglas Mac Arthur's headquarters in the Philippines. Resuming civilian life, Maury completed his bachelor's and master's degrees at UW-Madison. On June 14, 1947, Maury was united in marriage to Grace Emily Witter.

Maury joined the UW-Madison, Department of Agricultural Journalism faculty where he was radio farm director and professor. After earning his Ph.D. at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, he returned to UW-Madison as a full professor in the College of Agricultural & Life Sciences. He served in various academic and administrative positions including Director of Farm and Industry Short Course. He worked extensively throughout Wisconsin speaking, educating and communicating for Cooperative Extension service. The year prior to his 1986 retirement was spent at the Institut Pertanian Bogor in Bogor, Indonesia.
Maury's voice was a key asset for his professional career as a radio broadcaster and in his personal life. Beginning in high school he sang in choral groups, and continued singing until the end of his life.
Maury and Grace raised four children in Madison. Beginning in a pop-up camper, ending in a Road Trek, they travelled extensively with the family throughout the United States. They spent as much time as possible enjoying their cabins in the north woods of Wisconsin and managing their various woodlands. Their love of nature lured them to hike, canoe, ski and camp � camera in hand � capturing nature's beauty and wonder.
Maury is survived by his loving wife, Grace, four children; Maureen (Robert) Fox, Ronald (Nancy Andersen) White, Barbara White, Julia (Pete) Jaegersberg. He is also survived by six grandchildren; Matthew, Ross, Jonathan, Isabella, Sofia and Nicholas and his sister, Sylvia Fisher of Asheville, North Carolina. Maury was preceded in death by his parents and his five siblings; Dorothy, Lindsay, Marian, Homer and Jason. Visitation and memorial service will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2014, at Midvale Community Lutheran Church, 4329 Tokay Blvd., Madison. Visitation begins at 9:00 a.m., with the service at 11 a.m. The family suggests that memorials be made to the Maurice and Grace White UW Life Sciences Communication Scholarship, UW Foundation, 1848 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53726 or an organization of your choice.