Dr. David Sanford White, 80, passed away peacefully at the Anna Mae Owen Hospice, Murray, KY, on December 23, 2025, of complications from an extended illness. David was born in Ashburnham, MA, to Charles E. White and Rosabelle D. White on September 16, 1945. David grew up in the Broadripple neighborhood of Indianapolis, graduating from Broadripple High School.

Prior to retiring from a 45-year academic career in aquatic biology at the University of Michigan and Murray State University, Dr. White earned his bachelors and master's degrees at DePauw University and his doctorate at the University of Louisville. White became director of Hancock Biological Station on Kentucky Lake in 1988 and professor of biology, retiring from Murray State in 2018. Dr. White's many contributions to aquatic science include over 200 publications primarily on Great Lakes and Ohio River Basin ecosystems. He described several new species of aquatic beetles in North America. Dr. White secured considerable funding for research and infrastructure at the field station and mentored dozens of undergraduate and graduate students toward their degrees. He served as president of the Association of Ecosystem Research Centers, the Kentucky Academy of Science, as editor of peer-reviewed professional journals and in key positions within several scientific societies.

He mixed his work and his love of the outdoors sailing and fishing on Kentucky Lake and identifying the local fauna and flora. He also enjoyed woodworking, golf, gardening, and birding.

He was preceded in death by both parents, and a brother, William White. He is survived by wife (Susan Hendricks), two daughters (Lindsey White of Louisville, KY, and Patricia Signe White of Berkeley, CA), two granddaughters (Kristin Wagner and DJ White), a great-grandson (Carson), and several nieces and nephews.

A private service will take place in the spring when all family members can be present. No memorial service is planned at this time. Imes Funeral Home of Murray, KY, is in charge of arrangements and are incomplete at this time.

Expressions of sympathy may be left online at https://www.imesfuneralhome.com/obituaries. In memory of David, please plant trees or donate to your preferred charity.