Deceased October 31, 2015

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In Memory

Robert Webb passed away on Oct. 31, 2015. In writing this, I am saddened that the bulk of the information I have on his life comes from the words in his obituary, and electronic words at that. Much remains hidden. I don’t even know if he was still called “Spider.” I may try to find that out; if nothing else, that would be nice to know, as names matter.

Spider was a close friend. We were fraternity brothers in Psi U and were both active in house matters. Much could be said of those days, but not in this setting. I recall that he seemed somewhat conservative socially, a recollection possibly needing modification owing to my discovery of his active environmentalism later on. I last saw him at the 15th reunion, his only such appearance. Unfortunately, there has been no communication since. But I do know he did much that was important and that I have only scratched the surface. He began practice as one of 300 attorneys in a very large firm but moved on to a very small one of his own, where he specialized in environmental law and regulation of utilities. He became an expert on alternative energy sources such as solar and wind. He served for a spell as president of the Texas Renewable Electric Energies Association and was otherwise of general service to the Texas Bar Association. He taught graduate courses at the University of Texas and University of Houston and authored many scholarly articles on energy issues. This is a lasting legacy.

Spider and I would have much to say to each another had the forces that drove our lives pushed us into each other’s paths. A lesson learned.

Dusty Dowse ’66

Dusty adds his recollections

Submitted by Harold B. Dowse on Friday, 5/6/2016, at 11:43 AM

Robert Webb will not be attending the reunion this spring. He passed away on 31 October, 2015. In writing this note of remembrance, I am saddened by the observation that the bulk of the information I have on his life comes to me from the printed word. Much remains hidden. For example, I don’t know if he was still called “Spider” by his friends, family and associates. I may try to find that out, but one of the documents I have is his essay for the 25th reunion book and I suspect not. He signed his name Robert “Spider” Webb and the quotes do not bode well.
Spider was a close friend back in The Day. We were fraternity brothers in Psi U and were both active in house matters. There are the usual war stories that remain alive down the years. I recall that he was somewhat conservative in his outlook, something belied by his active environmentalism in years to come. I last saw him at the 15th reunion, his only appearance as near as I can tell. Sadly, there was no communication from that point forward. But he did much that was important in his time and now I have belatedly scratched the surface of what that was. He started his legal career as one of 300 attorneys in a corporate practice, but moved on to a very small one of his own where he specialized in environmental law and regulation of utilities. In fact, he became an expert on alternative energy sources like solar and wind. He served for as spell a President of the Texas Renewable Electric Energies Association and was otherwise of service to the Texas Bar Association. He taught graduate courses at the University of Texas and University of Houston and authored many scholarly articles on energy issues. He would have been a very good person to talk to.
There was a famous juggler who routinely appeared on the Ed Sullivan show. His gig was to set up tall poles and start crockery plates spinning on them. The spin had to be maintained by regular attention to each pole. He would keep adding poles and plates. Ultimately, of course, the inevitable began to transpire and plates would begin to come crashing down. Sadly, Spider was among the plates I could not keep aloft.

Dusty Dowse

 

Thoughts from Paul (PB) Dimond

Submitted by Harold B. Dowse on Friday, 5/6/2016, at 11:41 AM

As the student manager for our hockey team, Bob Webb made us play the game with as much skill, teamwork and fun as we could muster. He prepped at the Blake School hockey powerhouse in Edina, MN, and he knew the game even if his eyesight prevented him from playing. More than that, Bob cared about each of us as a friend. For example, he didn’t hold a grudge when Paul Butler decided to dedicate his time Junior Year to mastering his pre-med studies rather than continuing to star as one of the best defenseman in New England for the Amherst hockey team. No, Spider kept our Doctor-to-be informed how the rest of us were doing without him, how much we missed him and how much we hoped he would rejoin us Senior Year. Spider refused to give up, and Paul Butler rejoined our hockey team Senior Year and earned the award for being our most valuable player. 
Bob Webb also refused to give up on me. Stricken by mono in late October of our Senior Year, no doubt from burning the candle at both ends partying too much all summer and fall, Doctor Brown prohibited me from skating on the or practicing on the ice. Until he was sure my “enlarged spleen” didn’t pose any risks to my health (or my similar bad attitude to the health of the team), he put me on the disabled list. This meant the six outstanding Junior and sophomore forwards had a big head start on me even if I decided not to use my illness and recovery as an excuse to continue to party rather than play hockey, but Spider wouldn’t give up on me either. Eventually, he cajoled me back onto the ice after the first few games. Although I had led our team in total points Freshman and Sophomore Years, and finished second Junior Year, Ben McCabe rightly put me on the third line; Coach hoped that my four-year wingman Pete Beuhler would continue to set me up enough I could at least contribute something positive to the team. 

When Bob Webb learned the Sophomore center on the first line wouldn’t be returning to the College Second Semester, he called me at home over the Christmas break and told me to get my butt back in gear, to skate for all I was worth and to return in shape to fill the opening. With Bob’s continuing encouragement, I did, highlighted by a 4-goal performance in the first period at our Little Three rival Wesleyan. When I made a fool of myself trying to show off with a fifth after the whistle blew, Bob didn’t just console me, he said, “PB, when you step out of the penalty box, put the puck in the back of the net again to show those Cardinals how we Lord Jeffs look around for more when we are through!” 
I didn’t score again that night, but Bob didn’t forget that I led the team in scoring yet another year. When he learned that Coach McKabe had decided Paul Butler deserved most valuable player award, Spider created the “Webb Cup” for the leading scorer, just for me. Of course, it was a hockey “cup” (without the jock strap) he had gold-plated and attached with screws to a wooden stand with my name carved into the metal plaque. When he presented it to me after our last game in the locker room, I was honored to accept, including the hoots and other good-natured ribbing my teammates also gave me.
Here’s the rest of the story. On my resume for my first job interview after Michigan Law School with a Wall Street law firm, I included under honors at the College, you guessed it, “The Webb Cup, 1966.” After all, Bob was a member of Psi U, the Psi U Prize was awarded each year to the First Citizen of the College (won by Jim Dittmar of course), and it looked impressive on paper. Wouldn’t you know it, the partner I first interviewed was an Amherst Grad, a member of Psi U and nearly fell out of his chair laughing when I told him what the Webb Cup really was. I accepted the job offer, but thankfully escaped being an associate actually having to practice law within a week after I passed the New York Bar. 
When I shared the rest of this story many years later with Spider (a graduate of Yale Law School and long-time member of Texas’ biggest and most prestigious law firm,) he congratulated me: “Never thought our Cup would play that well on Wall Street, but PB you made the right choice getting out while the getting was good.” 
Bob, had worked 19-years as a member of Baker and Botts specializing in energy law before he left to go out on his own: to re-make energy markets, teach generations of law students how to think harder and more independently, and provide wise counsel to solar, wind and biofuel companies. For all his good work and independence, even The Gulf Coast Power Association honored him in 2015 for his lifetime “of significant contributions towards the advancement of competitive energy markets in Texas.” 
Spider, thanks for sharing how to live, make a difference and have fun with each of us.

Paul (PB) Dimond

Remembrance by Doug Dunlap

Submitted by Harold B. Dowse on Friday, 5/6/2016, at 11:38 AM

"Spider" was a great asset to the Varsity Ice Hockey Team. As Student Manager he had the game task of keeping stats - which he did very well. I recall Coach checking with him throughout each game - shots on net, either way; ice-time; sometimes even where in the net a goal scorer had shot the puck earlier in the game - high, low, right, left. Spider was right on it. Spider certainly knew the game of hockey well - and that helped.
More than that, he was a good and steady presence - on the bus for road games, in the locker room before and after games home or away. Back then the opposition included long-established teams, some with aspirations for national level recognition. We went up against some pretty tough hockey outfits, played hard, held our own - considering that we were one of the last teams on our schedule to have indoor ice. Spider always had an encouraging word, easing the losses, lightening us up, and certainly celebrating the wins.
A good man to have on the team, which he truly was - one of us.

Doug Dunlap