In Memoriam
A celebration of life
1939 his wife of 53 years, Marilyn. He is survived by his sister, Barbara Hager of Mt. San Antonio Gardens, where John lived as well; and his five children.
Alexander D. Thorburn ’42 died on July 8, 2010 at the age of 85. Alex was a loyal Webb donor and volunteer for over 5 decades. He served as a Class Agent, Alumni Association Vice President and Alumni Fund Chairman. After graduating from Pomona College; he worked for Hughes Aircraft and retired in 1992. Alex enjoyed fishing, golf and gardening and his Webb friendships, such as the one he and Al Hastings shared.
William “Bill” R. Webb IV ’39 passed away on November 6,
84
2010. He was 89. Bill was the third, and last surviving, of Vivian and Thompson Webb’s four sons including Thompson Jr. ’35, Howell ’35, and John (Jack) ’41. Bill was one of several namesakes of his paternal grandfather, William “Sawney” Webb. In addition to following in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps and making one of his careers as a teacher and administrator, Bill was the owner and operator of Westcott Bay Sea Farms on San Juan Island. He was born on August 26, 1921, a year before his father, Thompson, founded Webb School of California in Claremont. Bill always thought fondly of and returned many times to the Webb campus that had been his home for so many years. He continued to attend Alumni Day and Peccary Society celebrations until his health prevented him from taking long trips from his home in Seattle. Bill remained good friends with classmates including Art Clokey ’39, Ted Middleton ’39 and Dick Strathmann ’59, and with his teachers. Bill’s wife and business partner Doree passed away in 1992. Bill is survived by four daughters, Robin Bleeker, Nancy Webb, Joanne Webb and Sally Webb; grandchildren Cassidy Bleeker, Madeline and Liam (William) Cole and three great grandchildren.
1942 “Everybody liked him and he liked everybody.” This was a tribute from a friend of John L. Ilsley ’42, who died on August 12, 2010. He was 86. John was born in Calais, ME, but grew up in Claremont. He attended Colby College, received his MD at the University of Rochester, then completed his internship and residency at Baltimore City Hospital. He returned to Claremont where he practiced medicine for the next 50 years. Commissioned as an officer in the California National Guard in 1952, he rose to the rank of Colonel and served as Division Surgeon for 10 years. He also served on the Pilgrim Place Corporation for 20 years, and as a physician and board member at Claremont Manor. He was active with Claremont’s Rotary Club and maintained perfect attendance for 54 years. He also volunteered medical services at Webb and Claremont High for 20 years. John was predeceased by
We recently learned that John J. Wertheimer ’42 died on June 9, 2006. He was 81. He served in the Army Air Force during WWII, then graduated from Georgetown University and attended graduate school at the University of Maryland. He was a stockbroker and enjoyed attending events at the University of Maryland where he was a member of the Terrapin Club. After retiring, he volunteered with the American Red Cross and participated in disaster relief efforts. In 2000, he moved from the Washington, DC area to Corona, CA. John is survived by his wife Kathleen, a son, and two grandchildren.
1943
Louis Fleming ’43 died on March 27, 2011. Lou was one of the Los Angeles Times’ first foreign correspondents and established bureaus for the newspaper at the United Nations and in Rome. He covered the 1978 deaths of Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul I. At Webb Lou was co-editor of the Blue & Gold, operator of the LBF broadcasting station, and a school news and sports announcer. He received a BA from Stanford and developed his career at the San Gabriel Sun, Pomona Progress-Bulletin and Pasadena Star-News. In 1971 he was named chief editorial writer of The Times. He is the co-author of Children of the Atomic Bomb: An American Physician’s Memoir of Nagasaki, Hiroshima and the Marshall Islands. Lou is survived by his wife of 63 years Jean, his brother John Fleming ’43, and four children.
1944 Frank C. Dazey ’44 died on April 1, 2008. At Webb he was known for his easy-going manner and ready smile. He lettered in track for two years and played varsity football. Frank graduated from the California Maritime Academy. He began his career as an advertising artist and throughout his life he wrote, illustrated and produced many books and magazine articles. Frank often told us how much he valued his Webb experience and how Gordon Wilson and Glenn Vedder opened intellectual realms in writing and science. He was the father of three children.