Richard (Rick) Murray White
Richard (Rick) Murray White was born on January 2, 1949, under blizzardy prairie wide skies in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. He lived with heart and a smile as wide as those skies. Rick was a philosopher, a unique and quirky craftsman, and a skilled stained glass artisan. He spent many nights in the hot tub under the stars, talking to his maker. He journeyed on to his maker on November 20, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.
Rick dedicated over 45 years of his life to service as a paramedic. His service included acting as a supervisor during the 1987 tornado in Edmonton. This inspired him to work with paramedics Mark and Molly to help develop peer support networks for first responders. In this service as in his wider life, he companioned the breadth of humanity, sometimes in the darkest hours. The depth and sincerity of his care meaningfully upheld dignity for many many people.
Rick is preceded by his mother Isabel White (nee Rodger), his father Arthur Ronald White (Ronnie), and his brother Rodger White.
He is survived by many who love him: His beloved wife Michelle White; his loving sister Marybelle White; and his dear children Kate Patel, Reid and Kathy White, Jamie and Lidija Peers, Marc Peers, Rob and Kayo Peers, Danielle Peers and Lindsay Eales. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Rick was lit up with a diamond twinkling in his eyes by his many grandchildren: Boss and Bronson Patel, Rayne and Lily White, Hana and Emi Peers, Jack and Mitch Peers, Justin and Nicky Peers, and Willow Eales. To many in his family and beyond, Grandpa Rick was a loving mentor, a joyfully jokester, and an expert Donald Duck impressionist.
We will all surely be met by Rick, with open arms and a toothpick in his mouth, when we journey in our own time.
Celebration of Rick’s Life
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 10:00am.
Canadian Legion BR 175
14339 50 street, Edmonton, Alberta
Those wishing to view the service via LiveStream, may do so by accessing the following link: https://tinyurl.com/RickWhiteFuneral
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to your local food bank.
[photo credit dansunphotos.com]
Sincerest condolences to you Michelle and to Rick’s extended family. I had the privilege of having Rick as a partner at IFT when I first transferred from Edmonton EMS. He was a true gentleman, mentor, and suburb story teller. His contributions to our industry, and to the wellbeing and support of our peers are immeasurable.
My condolences to Ricks family, extended family, friends and EMS colleagues. I had the pleasure of working with Rick on many occasions. Rick was a supervisor with Edmonton EMS but he was right in there alongside the rest of us on calls – as a team member. Rick was a gentle soul with a sense of humour who was very approachable. He will be missed and remembered by many!
A Consummate Gentleman, a class act, warm, brilliant, kind, legendary, friend, mentor and teacher. One of the greatest first responders of his time. He will be deeply missed.
Our condolences to Rick’s family, EMS Family and friends. Rick was a gentleman of many talents, one who spoke in a soft voice with words of encouragement and kindness. You will be missed by all whose lives you touched. Our EMS ANGEL. 👼
My sincere condolences. I will never forget Rick as a kind and caring supervisor in Edmonton.
Rick had the kindest looking face, and once drawn whose face, you quickly knew the man matched the face. Godspeed Mr. White. May you memory be a blessing.
Always an open book about himself, bringing you in to his easy conversations. Always with the smirky smile and quick humour. One of the first you always look for when entering any room. Thanks for the honest chats and the peer support when needed. Miss you buddy.
Rick was such a kind, personable and gentle man. Rick I l have so much respect for you from my early EMS career when I came to Edmonton. The way you were and how you displayed professionalism with humility was something I’ll never forget. RIP my EMS brother!
My deepest sympathy and condolences to Rick’s family!
Once in awhile, if you’re lucky, you meet one of those people, that instantly makes you feel better about yourself. Rick was that man. Well known throughout Alberta, his modesty underplayed his many achievements and contributions to EMS.
He would look up to greet you with a shy, quiet smile and say hello with a warm welcome. I’ll never forget the distinctive sound of his laugh! He had a calm demeanour, always choosing kindness over anger.
He navigated life with a strong moral compass. He demonstrated true leadership even when obstacles were thrown in his way. He was a great coach, encouraging you to be the best version of yourself. A “stand up guy” for the underdog, he always advocated for his extended EMS family. With Mark and Molly he prioritized making the betterment of EMS health and wellness a focus.
I know each of you has your own story and there is much more I could write but I think you’re getting the idea. I know he wasn’t a saint but maybe as close to one that walks this earth.
“Rick, it was a privilege to work with you. You will be missed”
Mystery condolences to his family and friends, he will certainly be missed. Rest in peace Rick will thinking of our past adventures.
My condolences to his family and friends, he will certainly be missed. Rest in peace Rick thinking of our past adventures together.
Thank you Rick, for being a friend, colleague, leader and an encourager. Your subtle sense of humor in the midst of difficulty and challenges intrigued me during our years of study at SAIT. No one will know the number of people you have touched. This world needs more people like you. ThanQ my friend.
Renata and I send deepest condolences to his family, his extended family and all of his co-workers. Though he may have left this physical plain he will live on in memories and the positive impact he had on people. He was my co-worker, mentor, vessel of wisdom and common sense, on some days my co-conspirator, but most important he was my friend
Sincere condolences to Michelle and Family.
Mes sympathies.
The calm in chaos, common sense in complexity, the people in organizations and the guiding light in darkness. You left this world a little less wiggly wiggly Rick. Michelle and family, condolences to you and thank you for sharing all these years, we are all better for it.
Dear Michelle & Families,
Rick interviewed me at St Albert Fire Dept., freshly graduated from SAIT EMT-P, in 1981. He offered me employ, though I was still considering other offers.
Rick, you invited me back to visit St. Albert a second time, replete with an invite to your home for a barbecue (I was 21 yrs) Rick knew the path of reason, persuasion and convincing someone to choose the best path starts in every young man’s stomach . . . (haha).
That evening you delighted me with many reasons to ‘come north young man’:
– the sun sets later midsummer (than Calgary);
– summer evenings are warmer (than Calgary);
– the northern lights are spectacular up here (little or no such glamour decorating southern skies) . . . well the rest is history.
Rick was my “career coach” for all my EMS days that followed. I respected his wisdom and counsel. He had the patience (of a saint), which you nurtured and instilled in me;
You were methodical in every aspect (of life) and every pursuit and endeavour that was worthy of your attention (and others’ attention – even when they just didn’t know it yet, lol);
Anger rarely – if ever- outwardly became you. Defending and standing up for a cause with a sword, was not your style. Logic, intellect, reasoning – those were your armament of tools and calm interpersonal human interaction that won over the day.
Thank you Richard M White for all that you did for me (and countless others). . . you set my compass from day one, together with so many others.
God Bless your kindred family . . . your EMS family – you’ll remain in our hearts, forever.
Dear Michelle,
both the obituary that Joanne forwarded to us and these condolences on the Trinity Funeral Home website to testify unanimously to the exceptionally kind, caring, inspiring, persevering, creative, uplifting person that Rick is.
We never had the pleasure of meeting him; these tributes highlight how very, very deeply such a remarkable man will be missed by you and your family and friends.
Words are inadequate as we send our thoughts and prayers for all of you.
Wayne and Alice (Lessard) Stelter
My condolences to Rick’s family and friends. It was always a pleasure to work with you. RIP Rick.
I have many fond memories of Rick and the sincere friendship and leadership he provided in the early days of EMS in Edmonton. He would always listen to you and provide thoughtful advice and that look he gave you if you did something wrong.
As already stated the world needs many more like him as he was a very genuine, kind person.
Rick was one of my favorite EAA/EMS supervisors! Such a lovely person always ready to listen and give advice. My deepest condolences 🙏 Ann Gibbons
My condolences to Rick’s family and friends.
Rick started with Calgary Fire Department Ambulance Division on September 8, 1975. I clearly remember how impressed I was with him when he came to work with me. When I look at the obituary photo it’s amazing how little his appearance changed from his SAIT Class of ’78 photo.