Webb S. Fiser

Webb S. Fiser of 2292 State Route 96, Trumansburg, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, July 14, 2009, at the age of 89.

Born in Greene, Ohio on February 2, 1920 to Hazel Webb Fiser and Orville Fiser, Webb was raised in Detroit, Michigan during the Great Depression along with his sisters Gwendolyn, Helen, and Frieda. Attending the University of Chicago on scholarship, he met his wife of nearly fifty years, Peggy. Webb served in the Army Signal Corps during World War II and returned to earn his Masters and Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Chicago under the GI Bill.

Webb and Peggy made a home in Syracuse, New York where Webb taught Political Science. They then moved to the State University of New York at Albany where Webb continued to teach and served as Vice President of Academic Affairs throughout much of the tumultuous 1960's.

Retiring to Trumansburg, New York in the late 1970's in order to be involved in their grandchildren's lives, Webb embarked on nearly thirty years of volunteer service in the community, serving on the Boards of the Ulysses Philomathic Library and Juniper Manor among other endeavors. Webb was most proud of the work he contributed in the partnership with many others to the building of a new state-of-the-art library for Trumansburg. His love of learning was a recurring theme throughout his life. He shared this love with his family and students and his legacy continues through his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He will be treasured by his family for sharing his inquisitive and questioning nature and his faith in the basic goodness of humans.

Webb was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy and daughter, Rebecca in 1991. He is survived by his daughter, Deborah Dietrich; granddaughters Katie and Julia Dietrich; and great-granddaughters Leyla, Opal, and Stella. He is also survived by his long-time, dear companion, Martha Dickson.

The family will be present to receive friends on Friday, July 17, 2009 from 4:00-6:00pm at the Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South St., Trumansburg. A memorial service will be announced in several weeks.

The family asks those who wish to remember Webb in the form of a contribution to consider the Ulysses Philomathic Library, 74 E. Main St., Trumansburg, NY 14886.