Robert Wayne Webb

Robert Webb (Bob) was born on September 13, 1936 in Waukegan Illinois to Eva Naomi and Donald Webb. Bob's siblings included his brother Donald "Buckie" Webb, and sisters Jessie Dougherty, Phyllis Leonaitis, Farrel Lawrence, and Sherron Webb. The Webb family (farmers), after enduring the depression and dust bowl moved to Independence, Oregon and is notable as the endpoint of the historic Oregon Trail. Bob attended Central High in Independence, OR.
Bob enlisted in the Navy on January 4, 1956. Served aboard the USS TORSK (SS 423), USS SKATE (SSN 578), USS JACK (SSN 605), Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit, Idaho Falls, Idaho, USS REMORA (SS 487), USS BLACKFIN (SS 322), USS QUEENFISH (SSN 651), Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility, San Diego (decommissioning of USS COLONIAL (LSD 18) & USS TORTUGA (LSD 26)), USS CHIKASKIA (AO 54), AND THE USS TICONDEROGA (CVS 14).
Bob's service included the following duties: Leading Chief Electrician, Senior Controllerman, Nuclear Systems Instructor (S1W). Bob was a supervisor and trainer for Trouble shooting, Circuit Analysis, Test and Repair, Calibration, Installation and Modification for a wide variety of Nuclear and Conventional power plants. In addition, he excelled at planning, organizing, scheduling, coordinating and implementing planned maintenance system (3M) aboard numerous Navy submarines and surface craft.
US Navy accomplishments and Awards:
Bob was assigned to the USS SKATE (SSN-578) which was one of the earliest nuclear-powered submarines and the first to surface at the North Pole (previously in March 1959). Bob received an award dated July 15, 1962 which marked the USS SKATE's 1962 Arctic mission. USS SKATE departed New London, Connecticut and proceeded to the North Pole meeting with its sister ship the USS SEADRAGON which approached separately from Pearl Harbor. The mission included navigation exercises, tactical operations, and scientific research beneath Arctic ice. The historic rendezvous and joint surfacing at the North Pole occurred August 2, 1962, setting a precedent for multi-submarine Arctic operations.
Bob was later assigned to the USS TICONDEROGA (CVS-14) which notably served as a recovery ship for the Apollo missions. Bob was the Chief electrician onboard the day they recovered Apollo 16 Mission - April 16–27, 1972 which was the fifth Apollo mission to land on the Moon.
On August 29, 1975 Robert (Bob) Webb retired from the Navy after 20 years' service having been Awarded Good Conduct Medal (four awards), Navy Achievement Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.
Bob loved fishing, woodworking, and golf. He and Judy loved to "snow-bird" to Yuma, Az during the winter so they could continue to golf with friends.
Bob passed peacefully in his sleep on July 28, 2025 with family at his side. Bob is survived by his sister Sherron, five children, and 10 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren.
Celebration of Life will be held on __September 13, 2025 at 1:30. For more information and details please contact younghouse@comcast.net.