Edward "Ned" J. Webster 1930-2017

Ned Webster, 87 died Tuesday, October 31, 2017 after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. He was born in Columbus, Ohio on August 14, 1930. His family moved to Edgewater Park, Ohio when he was very young, where he grew up in proximity to Big Walnut Creek. Big Walnut Creek had a lifelong influence on him in his love of being on the water and his love for sailing. He built his first boat while he was in Junior High to explore Big Walnut Creek.

He built 15 boats in all during his life, but his favorite was the Moku Makai. He stared building it in 1960 as a 19 foot sloop. He sailed it for many years as a sloop and during the 70's, he rebuilt the Moku Makai changing it from a sloop to a 32 foot ketch-rigged sailboat. He sailed it in the Florida Keys as well as throughout the Caribbean.

After graduating from Groverport High School in Ohio in 1949, Ned began sharecrop farming in Edgewater Park. the Korean War broke out and Ned enlisted in September, 1950. Due to his love for sailing, Ned joined the Navy. He served aboard the USS DeHaven DD-727 and did several tours in Korea. He was Honorably discharged in 1954. His duty aboard DeHaven was as an Engineman 3rd Class.

Upon discharge, he attended Ohio State University and graduated with a bachelors degree in education and pursued a Master's Degree. His majors were Biology, Chemistry and Zoology with an emphasis on marine invertebrates.

He taught at several colleges: Ohio State, Marion campus, Florida Keys and Broward Community College before beginning his own Marine and Environmental Education School, Marine Sciences Under Sails (MSUS) in the mid 70's. MSUS had two divisions, Science and Sailing; where students were taken aboard small sailboats and taught sailing techniques as well as marine education from the decks of sailboats, and the School of Environmental Education; where the students were taken on field trips to the Florida Everglades, the Florida Keys and to local environmental sties.

Ned received numerous awards over the year for all his contributions to the environmental education and marine education of so many students.

He is survived by his son, "Jib" Webster, he ex-wife Mary Pat Webster and his significant other Francia Smith, several grandchildren, great grandchildren and a niece and nephews.