Benjamin L.E. Webb Jr.

Benjamin L.E. Webb, Jr., family man, sportsman, architect, artist, interior designer, author, teacher and Founding Father of the Hammons School of Architecture at Drury University, died Saturday morning, at Cox South Medical Center, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 56. Benjamin lee Edward Webb, Jr. was born December 10, 1951, to Ben and Rachel Webb in Springfield. He graduated from Kansas State University with a Professional Bachelor of Architecture in 1974. Ben was the owner of a la carte' Architects and Webb & Associates Architects, Design, Real Estate, which he founded in 1987. During his life, Ben was an active community servant. Ben was a member of the site councils for both Glendale High School and Bingham Elementary School; a Glendale High School Band Booster, serving as Vice-President in 1995 and President in 1996; and a member of the Springfield R-XII School District Curriculum Review Committee in 1997. He served as the Chairman of the Supervisory Committee for TelComm Credit Union from 1989 to 1992, and then served on its Board of Directors from 1992 to the present. Ben was also on the Administrative Council for King's Way United Methodist Church, and a charter member of the City of Springfield, Missouri Environmental Advisory Board. Ben was the first Coordinator of the Architecture Program at Drury University, a position he held from 1978 to 1984. As Coordinator, he oversaw the development of the original curriculum and facilities for the program, as well as the development of the faculty and staff. His hard work and presentation of the program to the University administration led to the adoption of the Architecture Program as a recognized major at Drury. After his tenure as Coordinator, Ben continued to serve on the Professional Advisory Council at Drury. He also served on the Professional Advisory Council for Architecture at Kansas State and earlier this year, Ben returned to Kansas State as an instructor in the Department of Architectural Engineering/Construction Science. For his constant devoted commitment to and invaluable work for Drury University, and for his lifetime of work in architecture, design and education, Benjamin Webb was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Drury in 2008. Ben is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife, Sallee, whom he married on December 30, 1972; his oldest daughter, Alexis and her husband, Trey Bechtold; his youngest daughter, Elise; his brother, Sam and sister-in-law, Teresa; his parents, Ben and Rachel Webb; and countless other family and friends. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Adam. Ben was deeply committed to those he loved; as active as he was in the community, his family always took priority. Those who knew Ben loved him. He was a good friend and devoted husband and father. He leaves behind a life of dedication and service - a life filled with a passion for service, fly fishing and his beloved Kansas State Wildcats. His loss is the community's loss, and he leaves a hole in Springfield which cannot be easily filled. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 10, 2008, at 10 a.m., in King's Way United Methodist Church, 2401 South Lone Pine Ave., Springfield, MO 65804, with a committal to follow in Rivermonte Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held Tuesday, December 9, 2008, from 6 to 8 p.m., in King's Way United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, 3322 S. Campbell Ave., Suite P, Springfield, MO 65807, or to caringbridge.org.