David Dorland Webb

West Boylston - David D. Webb of West Boylston passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at the age of 88.

David was born in Shanghai, China, son of the late William D. and Charlotte (Frisbie) Webb. His upbringing as the child of missionaries allowed him to travel throughout his early life and live in different places around the world. His travels provided him with grand adventures like his family’s first trip to Africa which took them by boat through the Panama Canal, by train across South America from Chile to Argentina and by sailboat across the South Atlantic from Buenos Aires to Cape Town, South Africa. During his travels across the South Atlantic on a 150-foot three-mast old whaling ship powered only by wind, the sailboat navigated through stretches of windless days and very rough storms before arriving safely in Cape Town. His family narrowly escaped the fate of the old whaling ship as it sank on its return trip after dropping them off in Cape Town. David and his family continued on by train to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) which became David’s primary home for the next 20 years. David had so many interesting stories about his life and travels.

David's education took him to Umtali High School in Rhodesia and Newton North High School in Massachusetts during furloughs, followed by studies in mathematics, physics and chemistry at the University of Rhodes in South Africa and Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts. It was during his work as a high school mathematics teacher at the Chikore High School at the Chikore mission in Rhodesia that he met Anne Warner, the love of his life, with whom he shared a remarkable 60-year journey. David and Anne were married in 1963 and lived together on the Chikore mission where David continued to teach and Anne served as a nurse at the mission’s hospital.

David's career as a chemist spanned 30 years at Bay State Abrasives (also known as Dresser Industries and Halliburton) in Westborough.

He is survived by his wife Anne (Warner) Webb, as well as his three children and their spouses: Mark Webb (Pia) of Westwood, Margery Glynn (Tom) of Marlborough, and Carol Cullen (Jeff) of Southborough. David also has 7 beloved grandchildren: Sean, Lauren and Katherine Cullen, Colin and Madelyn Glynn, and Lukas and Tor Webb. David is also survived by his sisters, Dorothy Slack of Maryland and Ellyn Bulikowski and her husband Casimir of Tucson, AZ. He was predeceased by his brother-in-law Hubert Slack.

David was an active member of the First Congregational Church of West Boylston. He was an avid tennis player in his youth and enjoyed gardening, reading and going for long walks. He was a life-long learner and stayed well-informed with current events and always had interesting insight when discussing politics and world news. His greatest joy was spending time with his family.

Funeral arrangements are private and under the care of Miles Funeral Home in Holden, MA.