Obituary of Donald Frederick Webb

Donald Frederick Webb, 86, of Jeffersonton, VA, died peacefully on October 29, 2018. Don passed away while receiving loving care from his family and honorable care from the military professionals at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. He was preceded in death by his wife of 39 years, Iza Ruth Geiger Webb, and his son, Richard Webb. Don is survived by Rosaleen Webb, his devoted wife of 23 years, six children: Mark Webb, Larry Webb, Lynda Lankowski, Colleen Dwyer, Kelly Moertle and Laura Cross; and six grandchildren: Hunter Lankowski, Zachariah Lankowski, Taylor Webb, Lauren Webb, Casey Dwyer, and Jessie Dwyer; and a beloved extended family.
Don was the son of William Webb and Jennie Arison and was born on March 22, 1932. He was one of five children to grow up in Syracuse, NY and maintained a close bond with his sisters, Shirley Whitbread and Kay Kelley, and his brothers, Jack Webb and Jerry Webb, throughout his life. Don served the United States of America for 24 years rising to the rank of Major in the U.S. Air Force, and loved our country dearly. Don lived and traveled across the world and created many cherished memories while continuously learning new things and sharing his knowledge along the way.  Many people are in a rush to get to where they are going; Don preferred to take the back roads and enjoy the journey with the ones he loved.  He especially enjoyed talking with his grandchildren and learning about their dreams, hopes, and goals.   Everyone that knew Don will miss him dearly.
A funeral mass will be held at 11:00am on  Friday, November 2, 2018, at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Ashburn, Virginia. If desired, friends may make a memorial gift to Hero’s Bridge (https://herosbridge.org/). Interment at Arlington National Cemetery, date to be determined.

Thank you Father Guest for your words of spiritual support.
Thank you Kelly, Lynda, Laura & Mark for all you did during these past 3 months.
Colleen and Paul, your love and generosity during this challenging time has been Christ like. Thank you!

Once upon a time, a child was born …
•    during the depression years,
•    during World War II,
•    to separated parents,
•    and he wasn’t even sure of his birthdate.
Not exactly a noble beginning!
•    He lived in an orphanage for 2 years,
•    did not graduate from high school,
•    and joined the Air Force at the age of 17.
Let’ put this event in perspective…

My facts may be a little off but you should be able to get my point…

In the Air Force, there are 17-25 unique ranks.
•    When dad started his career as an Airman Basic, 97% of the people in the Air Force were a higher rank than dad! 97%!
•    Dad worked hard. England, Idaho, Alaska, Mississippi, Florida, Texas, Virginia, countless country assignments.
•    Airman, Airman First Class, Senior Airman, Sergeant.
•    Selected to attend Officer Candidate School (OCS).
•    Graduated Officer Candidate School.
•    Korean War, Vietnam War
•    Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant, Captain
•    Refused several international assignments for the sake of the family.
•    After a 24 year career, he achieved the prestigious rank of Major! At that point, only 4% of the people in the entire Air Force were a higher rank than Dad! 4%
Dad left his 24 year Air Force and 15 year ITT career in Defense Contracting with
•    Bachelor’s Degree from University of Southern Mississippi,
•    Double Master’s Degree from Stanford University,
•    a wife,
•    4 children,
•    4 grandchildren,
•    4 homes,
•    and endless memories of a storied career.

Dad was … Exceptional! Not perfect, like all of us, but he was exceptional!!!

But, dad wasn’t done … he was only 41 years old.

Dad was …
•    a continuous learner,
•    a protector,
•    a man that enabled other’s dreams to come true,
•    opinionated,
•    a defender of what was right,
•    selfless,
•    generous,
•    an American … a PROUD American!

During the second half of Dad’s life, we all have endless stories of:
•    Pulling down trees with his car,
•    Singing songs together,
“Don’t Fence Me In”
“You Are My Sunshine”
•    Hanging Radio Antenna’s out the back of the house,
•    Building Teepees in the woods,
•    Seeing what he could do with a Raspberry Pi,
•    Emails about politics, investing, values, etc.
•    Willie Nelson costume … that was quite disturbing,
•    Do It Yourself projects … like fixing the Washing Machine at age 86,
•    My personal favorite of losing some article of clothing with every visit home…a jacket, shoes, pants, etc.
•    And we all of course know he loved to share knowledge, impart wisdom and understand where we were and where we were going.
•    His infatuation with Lincoln Town Cars,
•    Fond relationships and experiences with his ROMEOs and South Wales neighbors.

My fondest memory did not include Dad. In 1995, dad started to talk about a special lady! And it was getting serious!!! I felt compelled to meet this wonderful person … so unbeknownst to my dad, I scheduled a meeting … at her house.

A Cup of Tea with Rosaleen …
•    Our time together was brief but she was fabulous!!! I entered our rendezvous skeptical of what dad was getting into and left skeptical of did Rosaleen really know what she was getting into?
•    Shortly thereafter, the 1995 rendition of the Brady Bunch was created: Mom & Dad, Mark, Colleen, Richard, Kelly, Lynda, Laura and Larry. Lynda finally had the sisters she deserved and the boys were now the minority! The world was a different place … it was BETTER!
•    Dad loved this Brady Bunch addition dearly!
Rosaleen,
3 Daughters – Colleen, Kelly & Laura,
2 Granddaughters – Casey & Jessie.
•    We have shared so many great memories and we look forward to creating and sharing so many more in the future!

So, 3 last points I wish to make.
•    I want to THANK the amazing medical professionals at Walter Reed Medical Center. Their skill and compassion was phenomenal but the RESPECT they gave my Father was unmeasurable.
•    Thank you Mom … for being a BEAUTIFUL person, a WONDERFUL mom and a DEVOTED wife to dad. You made the past 23 years together MUCH more meaningful for dad and for our entire family.
•    For the past 20-84 years, we have been very blessed to have Don/Dad/Granddaddy (as we call him in my family) in our lives. CHERISH all the memories and know he loved each one of us VERY DEARLY! He was so proud of not only what we have accomplished but also for what he knew we will accomplish.

Peace be with us all!