Tributes to Mayor of Richmond

Tributes have been paid to the Mayor of Richmond who has died aged 76.

The passing of Councillor Bob White was announced by Richmond Town Council, where he was serving his third term as mayor.

A spokesperson said: “It is with great regret that Richmond Town Council announces the sad passing on Thursday of Councillor Bob White, Mayor of Richmond, following an illness borne with great strength and dignity.”

Cllr White served with the Royal Signals and was the president of the Royal Signals Association.  He was also chair of the Richmond branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL).

Laurence Lines, secretary of the branch, said: “Bob was a great man and over the years did a huge amount of work supporting and promoting the branch at local, county and national level.  He was also a successful networker and had great influence in the town of Richmond, Catterick Garrison and the wider area always promoting the RBL.”

Councillor Stuart Parsons, member for Richmond on North Yorkshire Council and a former mayor of the town, said: “It’s very said that it has come to this and I hope that his wife and family will feel supported.  Bob and I didn’t often see eye to eye politically, but he believed in many causes and worked very hard for them and for the town of Richmond.”

Dozens of people have also paid tribute to Cllr White on social media, with several people referencing his charity work

In 2021, Cllr White told of his battle with cancer in a newspaper report after being diagnosed with the disease for a third time, using the article to urge people to get checked early if they found any worrying symptoms.

Cllr White leaves behind his wife, Moira, and their two sons.