Alan Webster - 1936-2014

The news of the death of Alan Webster has saddened all of us who knew him. We called him "The Man" or "Webbie" and he was our friend, Not only was he Head Boy at Sedbergh, but he was a compassionate leader who was aware of the difficulties many of us had in the school of hard knocks that was Sedbergh in the 1950s. Webbie's love of sports inspired us and his prowess on the soccer field was legendary. As I remember, he played centre half and no one could ever get around him. I learned my axe skills from The Man, when he would came around the huts on a Saturday afternoon to check out that all was well. We shall miss him.

Judi Greene, Alan's daughter, shared the following with me today:

"Sedbergh was a significant part of who Dad was his whole life through. His time there enhanced his love of the outdoors through hands-on learning and gave him an appreciation of the world around him. He taught me how to lay a fire and chop wood, sit up straight and shake hands, seemingly little things - but he always echoed that was what he had learned at Sedbergh. I always wished they had admitted girls when I was school-aged. I too would have loved it there".

The following obituary has appeared in newspapers today:

"Alan Campbell Webster. Peacefully, Sunday, July 27th at the Brome Mississquoi Perkins Hospital in Cowansville, after a brave fight with cancer. Son of Richard and Catherine Webster. Beloved husband of Sally (nee Chapman) father of John, Cathy and Judi, father-in-law of Greg Greene. Grandfather of Amanda Webster, Josh and Sarah Webster-Heenan, and Jack, Henry and Charles Greene. Kind to all, he will be missed by his devoted family and dear friends. Private family burial.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Brome Mississquoi Perkins Hospital would be gratefully acknowledged".

We shall miss Webbie and we send our heartfelt sympathy to Sally and to the Webster family.