Ron White

1949 - 2012

He was a rebel from a young age, stubborn, like his father, our Dad. 

Dad, with Mum’s support, was able to leave his job as a machine operator at Worcester Pressed Steel Co. and open his own photo studio in Leicester, Massachusetts. I’m pretty sure it was one of maybe two Black-owned businesses in Worcester county during the 1950s. 

After graduating from high school, Ron drifted around with pals, spending time in California. When he finally returned to Worcester he took up skydiving of all things. That and photography were consistent obsessions in his life. 

Work was always a four-letter word for Ron. He lived precariously, eventually finding interesting creative work at the Worcester Historical Museum (which he came to mock as the ‘Worcester Hysterical Museum’) and subsequently the Worcester Art Museum. He met his future wife there, and when employment drew Jacq back to her native U.K., off they went. 

Ron graduated to taking running leaps off the Alps with his glider. He and Jacq traveled throughout Europe — his camera, an appendage on constant alert for Kodak moments. 

The move to Liverpool, UK was challenging in many ways. Liverpool in the 1980’s was not unlike Worcester in that it retained the trappings of a post-industrial city with the added character of being a merchant port. 

Ron’s accommodation looked out over the lively dock area where shipments of raw materials such as aluminum ingots, logs of mahogany, coal, and sadly toxic waste were landed. Obtaining a dock pass, Ron set up shop. A large format camera along with his big smile gained him access to the goings-on and most importantly the attention of the merchant seaman passing through from all over the world. This led to the significant Liverpool Dock project and the group of sailor portraits exhibited at the city center in c. 1994. 

Ron became a figure in the Liverpool arts scene, contributing to a number of publications including City Of Liverpool Architecture (Blue Coat Press pub. 1999.) It was at this time that Ron began embracing the convenience and opportunities of technology, becoming a highly skilled pre-press editor. 

In 1996 a further job relocation took Ron and Jacq to London where Ron began working at the National Science Museum. Ron transformed the approach to documenting collections and was fascinated by the museum's array of objects — particularly an early styrofoam model of the Concorde airplane. This role gave Ron access to modern day inventors, prompting a series of portraits including a notable set capturing the imagination and dynamism of James Dyson. 

Ron then took the decision to move away from image capture and to focus on image pre-press work and for a number of years was gainfully employed in the production of high-end magazine covers. 

But he was not happy in the West — the contradictions within its political institutions, its capitalist culture (particularly that of the country of his birth). He seemed scornful and contemptuous most of the time, although, whenever anyone asked, he would say, “having a blast!” Ultimately, he packed-up his belongings and moved to India in 2010, where the Himalayas and cost-of-living had attracted him. 

He selected to live in a ramshackle flat (a hut, really) at the foot of the take-off point in the mountains. He had a toilet built on his porch and a shower installed in his kitchen before moving in. It had no heating or cooling systems. 

He died there on a ledge, doing the proverbial “what he loved doing most.” Only a lot sooner than any of us ever expected. That was ten years ago as of this past October, 2022. 

I’ve learned a lot about my brother, Ron, since then. One thing, apparently, was that he produced the exhibit of the photographs that are being “Re-Seen” here, in 2022 at the Worcester Historical Museum.

-Ingrid White

A Note From The Archiver 

It was an honor to be trusted with the task of bringing the life’s work of Ron White to a greater audience. The significant undertaking of scanning, editing and organizing thousands of photographs was eased by the ability to live vicariously through him. He rejected materialism and comfort to live a life filled with adventure and exploration that few would have dared to embrace. His artwork was a reflection of his passion for nature, people, traveling and flying. Whether it was visual story-telling, street photography, serene landscapes or portraiture, he was able to bring every moment to life with his unique observations. I’m thrilled to see what the future holds for this project and I’m confident Ron’s art will get the recognition it deserves. 

-Taylor Hopkins