Stephen M. Webb

Obituary for Stephen McIlroy Webb (1942-2025)

Stephen McIlroy Webb, age 82, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, January 26, 2025.

Stephen was born on May 14, 1942 to Dwight and Helen Webb at Fort Lewis, Washington. He was raised in Dallas, Oregon, located in the Willamette Valley. His youth was spent playing sports, teasing his younger sister, Terri, and working on his grandparent’s farm, orchards, and a local cannery.

Stephen attended Dallas High School and graduated in the Class of 1959. He excelled in his academics and earned multiple varsity letters in football and track. Following graduation Stephen enrolled in Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. There he played football and met his wife of 59 years, Myrna. He transferred to Oregon State University after two years and graduated with a BS in Geology.

At age 16, Stephen enlisted in the Oregon Air National Guard, which really was the beginning of a long career involving the military and the Department of Defense. He served from 1956-1967 in a combination of the Oregon and Missouri Air National Guard units as well as the Air Force Reserve receiving his Honorable Discharge in August 1967.

Stephen’s career for the Department of Defense began in June 1964 after graduating from OSU. He moved to St. Louis, Missouri where he was employed at the Aeronautical Chart and Information Agency. After getting married in 1965, Myrna joined him in St. Louis.

After a short time in St. Louis Stephen and Myrna moved to suburban Maryland. His federal service continued until his retirement in January of 2006. His long and distinguished service included time at sea charting underwater topography for submarine tactics. As an employee of the US/NOO Bathymetry Division, he was honored with the naming of a seamount off the coast of West Africa (Webb Seamount: Lat 6° 52’ 57.9’N Long 21° 35’ 22.5’W).

His oldest child, Christopher was born in 1969 followed by Daniel in 1973. They settled in Bowie, Maryland in 1972.

As his career progressed, he spent many years at the Defense Mapping Agency and later spent his final years working in support of the US Special Operation Command where his team was cited for their contributions to the work being done in Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia, Korea, Somalia, Oman, Haiti, Rwanda, Desert Storm, and Operation Enduring Freedom.

He enjoyed his work. However, his private life was filled with his love of his wife and family. His reading of history and science fiction books approached epic levels at times. He was a huge football fan – both college and professional. He helped coach both youth football and soccer. Then he became a cheering grandparent as his four grandchildren entered into competitive swimming, field hockey, lacrosse, baseball, football, wrestling and soccer.

After retirement, Stephen became engrossed with digital photography. He spent a lot of time taking and editing digital prints. He became involved with the digital photo competition world. Entering online competitions for his prints and winning a few competitions.

Stephen was an active member of Christian Community Presbyterian Church in Bowie, Maryland. Both he and Myrna were involved with the church for decades – serving as an Elder, Treasurer, teaching adult classes on Martin Luther and other topics. Stephen was also on the Board of Directors for the adjoining Adult Daycare Center offering services to the local elderly. Stephen was also a member of the Paper Tigers Book Club that met weekly addressing a wide range of theological, historical, and political topics.

The ”Marriage Group” which was organized in the early 70’s at CCPC became Steve and Myrna’s East Coast Family. Through parties, vacations, funerals, weddings, and grandchildren, the intimate friendships have enriched us all.

Stephen is survived by his wife, Myrna, and their children’s families – Chris, Cherrie, Erin, & Kate Webb in Ellicott City, MD; Daniel, Jennifer, Maxwell, & Colin Webb of Alloway, NJ; his sister, Terri Kleiver of Sherwood, OR and his nephews families Biff Kleiver of Waxahachie, TX and Josh Kleiver of Sherwood, OR.

In honor of Stephen’s life in lieu of flowers gifts can be directed to CCPC(ccpc.bowiemd.org) or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (pulmonaryfibrosis.org)

A memorial service will be held at a later date.