Obituary: Ronald Wastewater Commissioner George Robert Webster

George Robert Webster
1937-2018

George Robert Webster, born January 5, 1937, passed away peacefully at his home in Shoreline on April 2, 2018, after a courageous struggle against pancreatic cancer.

George was born at Providence Hospital in Everett, Washington on January 5, 1937. He grew up in Snohomish, WA, son of Clyde Robert Webster and Letha Hope (Eckert) Webster. George graduated from Snohomish High School and went on to the University of Washington, graduating in 1960 with a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering.

George met his wife of 57 years, Velma M. (Romine) Webster on a blind date during his senior year of college and they married at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Snohomish, WA on February 4, 1961. 

After college, George worked for Scott Paper Mill in Everett, WA where he developed several environmental patents. George was next employed by the Public Health Service who sent him back to the University of Washington to get his Masters degree in Sanitary Engineering. Upon completing his masters’ studies, George loaded his young family into his 1953 Ford and drove to Washington DC taking a job with the EPA.

His experiences there included two years as Technical Representative to OECD in Paris, France, while working ten years as a GS-15 Senior Environmental Engineer.

Honors included being a Diplomate of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers with expertise in Water and Wastewater. After a brief employment with Marsh McLennan in Bloomfield, Michigan, George and his family were able to move back to “God’s country”, the Pacific Northwest, where he started his first company, Ekistics, and later Webster’s Inc., specializing in asbestos inspections and abatement management for WSU, UW and ten local school districts, and leaking underground storage tank clean-up.

George was a licensed Professional Engineer with over 45 years experience and loved every minute of it. He continued as a consultant to local environmental firms up until the time of his death.

George was most proud of his elected position as Commissioner on the Ronald Wastewater District for which he served the Shoreline community for almost five years, until his illness required him to retire.

George was an experienced traveler, having traveled extensively throughout the United States and internationally including Sweden, Denmark, France, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, and Thailand. 

George will be remembered for his love of card and board games, especially hearts, and his uncanny ability to “shoot the moon”, and his love for all things Lord of the Rings, inspiring his nickname Gandalf the White and his car Shadowfax.

George was a gold enthusiast and loved to go mining for nuggets. George had a wacky sense of humor which had him loving Stewart, the one eyed minion, and other quirky gag gifts.

George is survived by his wife Velma, son Robert George Webster; daughter Robin Kay (Webster) Rayfield; son-in- law Brian M. Rayfield and grandchildren, Allison K. Webster, Christopher R. Webster, Phillip J. Webster, Grant A. Rayfield and Jacqueline G. Rayfield.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 19th at 1pm at Shoreline - Lake Forest Park Senior Center, 18560 1st Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155.

A graveside service will be held prior for immediate family only on Sunday, April 13th at 11am at Holyrood Cemetery. Please visit Barton Funeral Home to leave comments for the family.

Thank you to all who have offered condolences during this sad time. George will be greatly missed.