Teledyne Webb Research founder, Doug Webb passed on November 11, 2024, surrounded by family at the grand age of 94. Doug has left a legacy as an engineer, scientist, innovator, and world-changer.
Doug’s visionary leadership revolutionized our ability to remotely collect data from the interior of the world’s oceans and significantly changed the field of oceanography. Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Doug’s journey took him from building the world’s first transistorized digital computer to innovating oceanographic technologies at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and founding Webb Research Corporation. The low-frequency sound sources that Doug developed helped to identify and understand global ocean circulation. The APEX profiling floats and Slocum gliders that Doug pioneered have collected well over 3 million profiles - more than all other oceanographic profile measurements made in human history combined.
We continue to strive to live up to his advice, “Work hard. Have fun. Change the world.” These words adorn the wall in our North Falmouth facility, and our entire staff is dedicated to continuing his amazing work.
Doug’s legacy lives on through his contributions to science and technology, his love for adventure, and his dedication to family. We extend our sincerest condolences to his children, Rebecca and Daniel, and their families. A celebration of his life will be announced later. In lieu of flowers, donations to Oxfam America are welcomed.
To read the entire obituary, please click this link. https://www.whoi.edu/who-we-are/about-us/people/obituary/douglas-c-webb/
