Maurice Edward "Pete" White

Maurice Edward “Pete” White died peacefully on August 23, 2026 in Ithaca, New York, surrounded by family. He was 79.

Born on December 1, 1946 in Brooklyn, his childhood on a dairy farm in Pine Bush, NY inspired a lifelong devotion to animals. This guided the course of his life and work, ultimately leading to a distinguished career in veterinary medicine.

After high school he served in the Air Force and attended SUNY Binghamton before graduating from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell in 1975.

He served on the faculty of the Cornell Vet School from 1978 until his retirement in 2011. He was a pivotal member of the ambulatory clinic, where his work left a lasting mark.

One of his notable contributions was creating a diagnostic database that remains widely used today. Long after his retirement, he could be found in his office updating entries. His dedication to veterinary medicine reflected a deep and enduring commitment to education and animal health.

His interests were many and diverse. He delighted in theater (Shakespeare above all), music, poetry, history, philosophy, sports (Go Bills), and all things Ithaca and Cornell. He could talk to anyone, from any background, about anything. Even with all of his achievements, his greatest source of pride was his family.

He is survived by his wife Steffi, his three children Kathy, Mike, and Linda, his sister Bess, his grandchildren Javier and Emilio, and his many colleagues and friends, including his CTB coffee companions.

Maurice Edward “Pete” White will be remembered for his devotion to veterinary medicine and the people from the many different walks of life he encountered along the way.

A gathering will be announced at a later date.