Geoffrey Walter Webber

Geoffrey Walter Webber, a Dunwoody resident for 46 years, passed away on August 23rd, 2013. Born in Yealmpton, England on August 20, 1929, Geoff attended Imperial College London University, graduating with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He spent 20 years at Vickers/BAC where he worked on the development of automatic landing systems for the VC10 and the BAC 1-11. Recruited by Lockheed-Georgia Aircraft Corporation in 1966, he was part of the C5A wing design team, worked on a mixture of applied aerodynamic technology, wind tunnel testing, and investigations of advanced concepts incorporating new technologies. Other highlights included aerodynamic responsibility for the development of Lockheed’s Jetstar 2 business jet, assisting the Harbin Aircraft Company in China with flight testing on the Y-12 commuter airliner and helping South Korea with the development of a 2-seat primary turboprop trainer. Geoff was a member of the University of London Air Squadron, flying Tiger Moth biplanes and Chipmunks, and served in the R.A.F. Volunteer Reserve.
For decades, Geoff was involved in the Atlanta theater scene, including serving as a board member at the Actors and Writers Workshop and helping establish OnStage Atlanta Theater Company. He acted in dozens of plays at numerous theaters in Atlanta, including Theater Atlanta, Theater Atlanta Off-Peachtree, the Atlanta New Play Project and Onstage Atlanta. Favorite roles included Elyot in ‘Private Lives’ and Henry in ‘The Lion In Winter.’ He also appeared in television commercials, radio voice-overs, and film. In 1978, OnStage Atlanta established ‘The Webber Award,’ given annually to an exceptionally dedicated member of the OnStage Atlanta community.
Geoff was active with The Georgia Council for International Visitors, frequently serving as moderator for their Great Decisions Program, and as a board member of the US/China Peoples Friendship Association. Atlanta institutions he supported include The Atlanta Symphony, The High Museum, The Carter Center, Habitat for Humanity, The Friendship Force, Trees Atlanta, The Atlanta Zoo, and the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.
Geoff is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Patricia; sons Jeremy and Timothy and daughter Melanie; three grandchildren, Leesa, Paul and Thomas Webber; three great grandchildren – Benjamin, Samantha, and Jackson, and six nieces.
Funeral services will be at Holy Innocents Church 805 Mt. Vernon Hwy on August 29th, 2013 at 4pm. A Celebration of his life will be held at Onstage Atlanta 2969 East Ponce De Leon Ave., on September 7th at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made in his memory at The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network http://www.pancan.org/; Trees Atlanta http://treesatlanta.org/, Habitat for Humanity http://www.habitat.org/, or Onstage Atlanta http://www.onstageatlanta.com/