After 34 years behind the lens, WDRB photojournalist Dave White is retiring

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- After more than 34 years matching video to the words of the reporters, WDRB photojournalist Dave White is hanging up his camera. 

He was hired in October 1990 as one of the original members of the WDRB News team. After starting in news in 1985, Dave had worked in Louisville at both WHAS and WLKY before he was lured to WDRB by then chief photographer Kenny Bradley. 

Dave was working for one of those competitors when he remembers talking to Kenny about plans for growing WDRB. 

"I asked, 'Can I send you a resume tape?'" Kenny's reply was simple. "No. Just tell me you're coming. That's all you have to do." 

Covering the news

The rest is WDRB history, which Dave has witnessed through his lens for the past three decades. He has had a camera on his shoulder for countless news events over the years.

"We spent days in the helicopter covering the floods of 1997 and countless hours at crime scenes, courtrooms and state capitols," said WDRB assignment editor Chris Turner. "We worked together on my first story for WDRB — talking with Census Bureau workers fearful of a government shutdown. Sound familiar?"

"Dave covered it all, from bowl games to natural disasters, military maneuvers, election nights, arraignment court and the Music Beat," Turner remembered.

Louisville's music scene

Viewers of WDRB in the 1990s may remember a Friday night segment called "Music Beat." It was a project that Dave took on with reporter and now lifelong friend Dick Irby. 

Both had a passion for Louisville's music scene and meeting the musicians that passed through our city. 

"We did My Morning Jacket, when they were first starting out," Dave said. "We did interviews at Phoenix Hill and inside tour buses." 

It was on those assignments that Dave met the guys in Wilco and Son Volt. He's still a devoted fan to both bands. 

Stories that stand out

Asked which stories stand out from his long tenure in the newsroom, topping the list was a trip to Africa with Valerie Chinn. He said the experience moved him.

"Just being there. Following the doctors. We went where there was basically a garbage dump, and they made a city out of it because they had no place to go," Dave said.

It was also one of Valerie's favorite stories with Dave.

"One of the best memories was our trip to Ethiopia, covering a local church with medical volunteers. We got to show the amazing work they were doing to help people in need, while also becoming ‘coffee connoisseurs’ and popcorn enthusiasts in mud huts. Let’s not forget handing out candy to kids and visiting people in hospitals," Val said.

She also remembered their flight home was delayed, and they were stuck in Italy and wandered the streets and window shopped to pass the time.

"We ate the best Italian food at the hotel before heading home," she said.

Celebrity encounters 

Dave also remembered being next to boxing legend Muhammad Ali at "The Champ's" 50th birthday celebration. 

"It was a really small affair. We were invited to it. He was on - doing tricks and talking. I got an autograph." 

Not one to focus on big names, Dave does admit to being impressed by a few of the people he met on assignment, including Bill Clinton when he was running for president the first time. 

"He was turning down interviews at an event, but I asked anyhow. I told him I was from Arkansas. He said, 'That's cool, man,' and agreed to talk to me." Dave remembers all the network journalists trying to get in on the interview he had landed. 

Working at the Kentucky Derby one year with Candyce Clifft they met Walter Cronkite, who was gracious enough to allow Dave to take a picture of his friend.

Reporters and friends

Candyce said she always looked forward to days she was paired with Dave, who helped her when she was a new reporter learning about Louisville.

"Dave and I were like siblings. We picked at each other, but we both knew it to be a sign of respect. Every time I wore a scarf, he’d joke, 'Nice ascot!'"

Candyce said she will miss Dave and the way he always made her smile and enjoy work.

"I once got back to the station and reviewed video of myself saying something on camera only to notice my hair was blowing straight up in the wind. I asked Dave, "Why didn’t you tell me my hair looked messy?" to which he replied, "Looked like it always does, to me."  We have laughed about that for years."

Tough as a Marine

Some assignments weren't so glamorous like when he was sent to Parris Island to experience training with U.S. Marines with reporter Mark Glover, who is now the news director of Fox 56 in Lexington. 

"I remember crawling with them carrying my camera. Jumping across the ropes with my camera. The drill sergeant was giving them grief because some of them weren't able to do it without carrying a camera!," Dave remembered. 

There is a physical toll on photographers carrying all that equipment. Aching backs and wrecked knees are just the start. There are also dangerous situations and hazards at crime scenes and other tense situations like the Breonna Taylor protests a few years ago and the tear gas pellets shot near news crews. 

The last of the O.G.s

Dave's retirement leaves only Tom Lane from our sports department as the last of the original WDRB newsroom team.

"I have always enjoyed hanging with Dave. A very good photographer and human. Always with a smile and a laugh. I don’t remember why I started calling him Dog or Doggie but that’s been who he is to me for decades," Tom said. "Enjoy a well-earned retirement as you keep striving for grandfather of the year."

Another of the O.G.s is WDRB News Director Jennifer Keeney.

"I’ve worked with Dave for 25 years, and I’ve never seen him lose his cool," Keeney said. "He handles himself with grace and composure on every story. We’re so grateful to Dave for all the incredible work he’s done for our community and our newsroom. Now it’s time for him to enjoy himself."

Family and future fun

After more than 34 years at the station, Dave said being in the newsroom was the right move.

"Staying at WDRB for so long was one of the best decisions I ever made. So many people I have made friends with and just the overall atmosphere of the station." 

Dave grew up in Arkansas but moved to Louisville, attended Doss High School and even met his future wife, Margee, when they both worked at a Sizzler in Valley Station. 

He and Margee live in southern Indiana now and have been married for 43 years. Dave felt like now was just the right time to retire. They plan to spend more time with their two daughters and their families which include three grandsons and a granddaughter.

"I really love to hike, read and listen to my music on vinyl. I will also have time to do my still camera shooting," Dave said. 

Dave has been our workhorse and the second-to-last of the original News at 10 "dream team," now to retire, 34 years later.

Dave is escaping deadlines, the din of police scanners, finicky editing programs, and daily dining in the news car with his ever-present bottle of Sunkist orange soda.

He’s earned retirement and spending more time with his grandchildren.

They adore their Papaw.

The WDRB News family would agree.

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