Eugene Joseph Webb
July 12, 1940-April 23, 2018
Eugene Joseph Webb died peacefully on Monday, April 23 after living with Alzheimer's disease for many years. Gene thought about death every day of his adult life, as a way to live fully aware and to honor death as the most natural part of life through which we transition to continue our life with God. He died with dignity and peace with absolutely no struggle, leaving us in love with him eternally, filled with gratitude for his life and joy at the new life he has claimed as his own.
A loving husband, father, grandfather, mentor and friend, he will be profoundly missed by all who knew and loved him. Born in Port Arthur, Texas, he attended St. Mary's Seminary for five years where he fell in love with philosophy and found his God in nature. He received his bachelor's degree, summa cum laude from the University of St. Thomas, and his Master's degree at Our Lady of the Lake. He was a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He practiced psychotherapy for 45 years, working with individuals, couples and families. He was famous for sending clients off with a personalized comment on a colored index card. No two were the same, and it was not unusual for former clients upon meeting him later to pull out a wallet with tattered cards or to share that they kept their private stash of Webbism on their bedside table. He would laugh in appreciation and always say "bring them to the memorial service".
Gene's relationship to his wife Marty illuminated and transcended love. They shared mutual respect, trust and genuine affection. They freely gave each other 30 years of intimacy, honesty, work, play, integrity, joy, struggle, creation and love. They each claimed Gene's two children, Douglas and Jennifer and Marty's two children, Kristen and Kevin, as their own. They reveled in the uniqueness of each of the 16 grandchildren who blessed their lives. Marty and Gene co-founded the Monarch School in 1997. Marty has always freely shared her deepest gratitude that without Gene Webb and his hard work and passionate interest, there simply would be no Monarch School and Institute.
Gene had an infectious smile and a sincere interest in people. He blessed the life of every person who crossed his path. He truly never met a stranger, interacting with each individual as if they were the only person on the planet at that moment in time, from the grocery store clerk to a fellow neighborhood walker to the wife of the president of the United States. He was an avid lifelong learner, creative cook, lover of music, superb outdoorsman, fearless gardener, believer in simplicity and model of the sacredness of relationships. Nature was his friend and he had an unfailing sense of direction in the outdoors, a love of science and the physical universe, micro to macro, and never met an animal he couldn't whisper to.
Gene's perspective on life and life's issues was both unique and profound. He was steady, loving, faithful and habitually present. He loved fiercely, lived fully and gave generously. He was the spiritual compass to family and friends, and he was loved and admired by family and friends for the curiosity, courage and strength with which he faced the challenges of Alzheimers. He was well known for the generosity he exhibited throughout his life. He had lifelong friends who trusted him and valued his opinions. He did not judge others, and always believed and acted upon the belief that we are all doing the best we can.
A writer and a poet, he wrote EVERY day of his adult life. He was the author of seven books and a prolific and profound essayist and a popular speaker and workshop presenter. Gene loved his work as a psychotherapist and never intended to fully retire. As a master counselor, Gene learned early to laugh at himself and claim his bumbling ways. He had a gift for calming and counseling souls in turmoil, saving marriages, embracing conflict, and guiding his clients to authentic life. He was never idle and in fact never met a chore he didn't enjoy tackling. He could be found on the weekends outdoors, in the garden, side by side with his Marty, visiting with friends as he leaned on his hoe, down on all fours, patiently cultivating and planting . Neighbors often stopped by to admire the gardens, especially the spring wildflowers and often left with seeds. Gene always said the gardens were as much for the neighbors as for himself and Marty. The gardens were sacred, holy ground for Gene. He started and ended most every day with a "walk around" the garden, propping up plants that needed just a little extra help.
He found humor in everything and was known for his dry wit and for puzzled looks as people tried to figure out if he was serious or kidding. Gene was meditative, faith-filled, solid, quiet and deep. He possessed enormous integrity and was a wise colleague and mentor. He had a patient and calming presence, and managed never to be in a hurry.
He had a deep and abiding love of nature and appreciation for the land which he shared with his children Doug and Jennifer from early on and his grandchildren later. He grew up in East Texas, hunting snakes, scouting, rescuing wildlife. He loved everything in the outdoors, especially camping, hiking fly fishing and wade fishing, until later in life, when he found even catch and release to be cruel and was content to paddle a canoe and look for and photograph wildlife.
Eugene was preceded in death by his mother, Josephine Ienna Webb, his father Kenneth Webb, his brother Frankie Webb and his grandson Joshua Webb.
In addition to his beloved wife Marty, he is survived by his four children and their spouses, Douglas Eugene Webb and his wife Melissa; Jennifer Cowart and her husband Gary Richard; Kristen Wright and her husband Kenneth; and Kevin Rudolph and his wife Kimberly. He was fiercely proud of his grandchildren: Nathaniel, Samuel, Valerie, Dominique, Micah, Jeremiah, Christina, Sariah and Josiah Webb, Taylor Cowart, Mason Richard, Samantha Thorleifson, Mason and Rachel Wright and Mackenzie and Grant Rudolph. He also leaves his aunt Rosalea Uptigrove and her husband Rodney and nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank especially La'Coria White, Karina Sanders, Antoinette Dancy and Nimota Ahmed-Caesar and all those at Amazing Place, Sheltering Arms and Silverado Sugarland who have so lovingly cared for Gene these last years. Gene valued competence above almost all other virtues, and he is loving you and thanking you right now for your care.
We will gather again to celebrate Gene’s life. Rather than sadness at his death and long before the term "celebration of life" became popular, Gene always said that he wanted a party with music, dancing, wine and cheese to celebrate his life. In respect for his wishes, a party celebrating Gene's life will be held on June 30 from 2:00-5:00 at Monarch School, 2815 Rosefield Houston, TX. You may rsvp and learn more by signing on at www.DrEugeneWebb.com. Please add your comments, pictures and tributes to this great man on that site. Gather up your index cards, and we will bask in the glow of his love then. There will be ample time to read your favorite Webb card or to share your stories. Gene will be listening, so make it good! In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a walk around your neighborhood, or on the beach, rescuing a dog or cat at K9 Angels, extra hugs for your family and a toast to enduring love and friendships.