Arthur Fredrick White

Arthur F. White, devoted husband, adventurer, traveler, lover of nature and wildlife, and a man of many talents, died April 12 at the age of 86. A longtime Sacramentan, he was a champion for the region's parks and supported efforts to preserve its open spaces and natural heritage. Born in Calistoga, CA, he attended local schools, excelling in sports and academics in high school and at Santa Rosa Junior College. As an all-conference center at Santa Rosa, he was recruited to play football at Stanford University. There he joined the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, making many lifetime friends. After college, Art served his country as a paratrooper and a member of the Army's elite 82nd Airborne. Art married his high school sweetheart, a vivacious young school teacher, Verna ""Nikki' Nicchia, his wife and partner for the next 60 years. Art and Nikki moved to Sacramento where Nikki taught school, eventually becoming principal of Jonas Salk Junior High School. Art was a successful financial planner, though it is generally believed by his friends and neighbors that this was just a cover for a surreptitious career as CIA agent, to which he never admitted! Art had a zest for life and adventure, having climbed many mountains throughout the world including Shasta, Whitney and Kilimanjaro in Africa. He loved backpacking into the wilderness and floating whitewater rivers in Montana, Idaho and Oregon. He believed that every individual has a responsibility to protect and preserve wilderness areas for the benefit of future generations. An ardent defender of the local environment, Art was active in efforts to preserve the American River and the Parkway as a regional treasure. He served as a commissioner on the Sacramento County Parks and Recreation Commission, board member of the American River Natural History Association and Sacramento Open Space Conservancy, and was a member of the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce. He is survived by his wife, Nikki. At his request, and as a reflection of his private nature, no funeral services are planned. However, a celebration of Art's life is being arranged. Donations would be appreciated to a charity which reflects Art's passion for the natural world.