William Webster

Will Webster died suddenly at his home in Lanham, Marylan on January 11. He was born in New York City and grew up in Islip on Long Island. As a boy he acquired what became a life long interest in amateur radio and to the end of his life he was active on the air as WB2TNC. When he obtained a Regent's Scholarship, that allowed him to combine his love of ham radio with his fascination for the lights in the night sky. He attended the University of Rochester, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in astrophysics on June 4, 1965. He went on to obtain a Ph.D from Case Western Reserve University on January 28, 1970. After a year's internship, he managed to obtain his dream job at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center where he remained for over forty years.

In addition to science, he was committed to social justice. He marched with Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. and always tried to advance the careers of women and minorities. He was, in addition, a man of strong faith, serving first as a Deacon and then as an Elder at Berwyn Presbyterian Church.

He was a loving husband and devoted father. He is survived by his wife of over forty years, Mary Antonia (Toni) Webster and his son, John Laurence Webster.

According to his wishes, he will be cremated and his ashes scattered in the ocean near Cape Canaveral or Wallops Island where NASA has a launch facility.

There is an old poem, “The Ancient Astronomer to his Apprentice”, whose last lines provide an appropriate epithet.

“Though my soul may set in darkness,

It will rise in perfect light.

I have loved the stars too fondly

To be frightened of the night.”

Donations may be made in his memory to the ARRL Education Fund.