More detail on this person: GRASSE, France
(ACNI) - Author, renowned collector of antique
aviation toys, and highly decorated Vietnam War
pilot Captain Geoffrey Randolph "GR" Webster has
died at the age of 68 after a brief but valiant
battle with cancer. Webster passed away on
January 6th at the country home in Grasse, France,
that he shared with his wife, Agnes, and their
three young children.
An American patriot and military man through and
through, Webster's fascination for flying dated
back to his childhood and the exposure he had to
airplanes as the son of a naval pilot.
As a U.S. Army pilot stationed in Vietnam, GR
Webster commanded the Mustang Gun Ship
Platoon of the 68th Assault Helicopter Company.
His repeated acts of valor earned him dozens of
military awards, including two Distinguished
Flying Crosses, The Bronze Star, The Cross of
Gallantry and The Purple Heart.
After completing his military service in Vietnam,
Webster enrolled at the University of Chicago,
where he earned a Masters Degree in Business.
His education and well-honed leadership qualities
gave him the footing from which to rise to the
post of CEO of Givaudan Fragrances, a firm
established in the 18th century that maintains
offices in Paris, Geneva and New York.
In 2000, Webster was elected to the Fragrance
Foundation's Hall of Fame. That same year he
retired, at age 55, to take up portrait painting,
raise a family and pursue his passion for
collecting antique and vintage toy aircraft. He
also founded The Miniature Aircraft Quarterly, a
full-color magazine with an auxiliary club
membership for toy airplane aficionados.
Webster amassed one of the most comprehensive
collections of toy airplanes and aviation models
ever assembled, containing numerous rarities made
in Germany, France, Japan, Great Britain and the
United States. In 2012, Webster decided to sell
portions of his vast collection in a series of
auctions at Stephenson's, Morphy's, Affiliated
Auctions, Lloyd Ralston Gallery and Vectis
Auctions. At the time, Webster - ever the
analytical businessman - explained that he
consigned to five different auction houses because
he felt particular types of toys, such as
tinplate, cast iron, die cast or identification
models, would be best served by companies that
had category-specific experience.
"GR also felt strongly about sharing his knowledge
of aviation toys with others, which he did in the
form of two reference books and countless
articles," said Catherine Saunders-Watson,
editor-in-chief of Auction Central News and Toy
Collector Magazine. "He had a mind like a steel
trap when it came to remembering details, and he
was such a gifted writer, his manuscripts were
virtually letter perfect. GR was a unique talent
and an extraordinary achiever. His was a life well
led."
GR Webster remained an active pilot until his
illness was discovered in November. He could fly
anything with wings or propellers. For eight years
following his retirement, Webster owned and flew a
Lake Turbo Renegade amphibious flying boat that
was kept at his second home in Polk County,
Florida. He piloted his flying boat all over the
United States, landing it on water and all types
of terrain.
"In his typical style, GR downplayed his medical
diagnosis and the challenge he faced,"
Saunders-Watson said. "In mid December he
notified his friends of his condition, but instead
of focusing on his own misfortune, he expressed
gratitude for the 45 extra years of life he had
been given after he and his gunship crew were shot
at and wounded in Vietnam. GR was made of
strong stuff, and he didn't give up without a
fight. He received the best of care at a hospital
in Nice, France, and held out hope to the very end
that he would overcome the enemy. His many
friends will miss him greatly."
A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, January
11 at 10 a.m. at the Cathedrale de Grasse, Place
du Petit Puit, 06130 Grasse, France. The interment
will be for family only on Monday, January 13. In
the United States, a memorial gathering to
celebrate the life of Geoffrey "GR" Webster will
be held on Saturday, January 18 at 1 p.m. at the
historic Ramon Theater, 15 E. Wall Street in
Frostproof, Florida 33843. Flowers are welcome at
either service. Alternatively, the family suggests
that donations be made to a favorite charity in GR
Webster's memory.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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