Gilbert White, SB'32, SM'34, PhD'42,--father of floodplain management and the national flood insurance program, and founder of the interdisciplinary science of natural hazards--has educated the nation and the world on how to change the ways we manage water resources and mitigate natural hazards. With an unending list of contributions to the scientific community and with an impressive array of awards too long to mention, it is not surprising that Gilbert White is an intellectually remarkable man. What is less obvious is Gilbert's very human approach to life. He worked best at resolving differences behind the scenes, holding a deep belief in the dignity and worth of each individual and the richness of home and family. He believed with a passion that any person can make a significant difference in this very messy world. It takes only the determination to live a life that matters. This book is both biography and memoir. It is a tribute to a scientist who has changed the scientific community and the world.