Richard Gilbert Webb

Richard G. Webb , 79, a finance executive and antiques dealer, died of complications from cancer and pneumonia on Saturday July 30th, 2011 in Newport, RI. Richard was born May 11, 1932 and was raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His parents were Judge William Leslie Webb and Cora Kroshus Webb. His great-grandfather was an Indian Agent at the time when Oklahoma was an Indian Territory. He graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas in 1954 and then came East for the first time to attend Harvard Business School where he received his MBA in 1956. After graduating, he took a two-year commission at the Army Finance Center at Ft. Benjamin Harrison in Indiana where he and his first wife, Pat Wagdin, started their family. Richard relished his career in business commencing with McKinsey & Co (NYC, 1959-61), Mobil Oil (NYC, 1961-64), ITT (Montreal, Chicago 1964-66), and Illinois Tool Works (Chicago, 1966-70). He was CFO for Interstate Brands (Kansas City, 1970-79), General Host (Stamford Ct. 1979-81) and ended his corporate business career as CFO and Treasurer of Grolier Publishing (Danbury, CT, 1982-1989). He was an avid follower of markets all his life. Richard re-married in 1980, joining with Judith Dodge to bring together the two families from their previous marriages, settling in Pound Ridge, NY. Richard loved to travel and his favorite trip took place in 1992, just after retirement from the corporate world. He and Judy took off on a four month trip together exploring Fiji, New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific including Tahiti and Bora Bora, where Richard celebrated his 60th birthday. He credited that trip with the decision they made for Richard to join Antique Associates, his wife's established fine arts and antiques business. Richard wanted to "get his credentials" and immediately completed NYU's Appraisal Studies in Fine and Decorative Arts. Their business was located in Stamford Ct. and at home in Pound Ridge NY. In later years when RIchard received the Harvard Business School Alumni Survey he wrote "The biggest obstacle in making my work transition has been to downsize my ego, to forget about the prestige associated with my company position, my staff levels, my income, my boards, to being a Junior Partner in a Mom and Pop operation". It was a thirteen year successful business partnership and Richard wrote "we truly enjoy each day." In July 2005, after winding down their business, they chose to move to Newport, RI. They were probably the only new residents who read the City Planning Department Comprehensive Plan to confirm their retirement choice and they reveled in the island's beauty and the diversity within the community. Every summer afternoon Richard could be found doing his half mile swim at Second Beach followed by a good book. Richard was active in civic and non-profit organizations for many years. From 1987 to 1989 he was Chairman of the Regional YMCA when a new Y was built under his leadership in Brookfield, CT. Then in Newport, Richard was Finance Chairman at Channing Memorial Church while the church was undergoing a substantial historic preservation effort, and later he served as Endowment Chair. Additionally, Richard served on the Newport Trust & Investment Commission from 2007-2011 and was a member of the Advisory Council for the Salve Regina University Business School. Richard enjoyed reading and many forms of word play. He was a member of the East Providence Library Great Books Discussion Group for many years and took numerous literature classes at the Salve Circle of Scholars program. A devoted Mets fan, Richard followed the games and players stats up to the day he passed. Richard is survived by Judy Webb, his cherished wife of 31 years, his children from his first marriage Catherine Anne Webb and husband David Dunlap; Andrea Susan Webb and husband Timothy Hoover; Nicholas Leslie Webb and wife Susan; his step-children Mara Dodge, Karen Dodge, Jennifer Dodge, Christopher Dodge and his wife Hilary Berkman, and his mother-in-law Louise Harris. Richard was a devoted husband and generously loved his extended family, and was much beloved in return. He was the proud grandfather of Molly, Emma, Tess, Kyle, Dmitri, Lucy, Esme and Nate. His brother and sister-in-law, Thomas and Gretchen Webb of Tulsa, also survive him. According to his wishes, Richard's ashes will be scattered at sea and, on Saturday, September 17, 2011, a Memorial Service Celebration of his life will be held at Channing Memorial Church, 135 Pelham Street Newport, at 11 a.m. The public is invited and a reception will follow. In his memory, donations may be made to Visiting Nurses of Newport & Bristol Counties or the Newport Hospital Foundation.