| Earl A. Webb, Sr. 1916 - 2009 |
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Earl attended grade school and high school in Bates City Missouri, graduating in 1933. While growing up he worked on his family’s farm, in the family general store and at his grandfather’s lumberyard. He competed in sports, excelling in football and basketball, and played the trumpet in the Blue Springs Marching Band as well as community concerts. His “1” rating in band earned him the opportunity to play under John Philip Sousa. After high school Earl attended Baker University for two years, where he played football and basketball. Needing funds to continue school, Earl took a job at Pecks in Kansas City, starting as a salesman and moving up to Merchandise Manager. In 1937, Earl enrolled at Central Missouri State Teachers Collage, taking a partial load while working his way through school for Vernez Drug Store and as a supervisor for WPR projects. Upon graduating in November 1940, Earl enlisted in the Army Air Corps, but was discharged in October 1941 due spots on his lungs. Earl then returned to marry Willa Mae (Billie) Gerhart from Stover, Missouri and accepted teaching positions at Hale, then Faucett, Missouri. He became Superintendent of Faucett School District the fall of 1942 after receiving his Masters Degree from the University of Missouri. In 1946, Earl accepted a position with National Schools Studios taking school pictures through 1976, when he sold his business. Earl continued to operate his farm south of Stover, Missouri through 2004 while living with his wife Billie at the Lake of the Ozarks. Earl served over 60 years as a Master Mason in the Masonic Lodge, served on the board for Habitat for Humanity, and helped unknown numbers of people and organizations. Earl Webb joined Alpha Chapter in January 1938 and was initiated April 10, 1938. When asked why he joined Sigma Tau Gamma, Earl said; “there were two fraternities, Sigma Tau Gamma was struggling, I decided that I could help.” Help he did, as recruitment chairman, and then president. In 1940, while still Alpha Chapter President, Earl planned the 20th Anniversary Grand Conclave at the Hotel President in Kansas City, MO. At the 30th Anniversary Grand Conclave held at Central Missouri State College in 1950, Earl was elected National President. At the time, Sigma Tau Gamma was struggling with insufficient staff and finances. Our Fraternity’s original mission to serve students of teacher’s colleges was vanishing, as those colleges became comprehensive institutions. Earl went on the road as a volunteer to deliver much needed service to our chapters. During this time he had a fledgling business. He divided the chores between his two employees, trusted the future of his business to God, and went on the road for weeks focused on Sigma Tau Gamma. Earl was quietly but deeply spiritual. Earl presided over the dissolution of the Association of Education Fraternities and the entry of Sigma Tau Gamma into the National Interfraternity Conference. He recruited Robert Nagel Jones, Beta ‘29, to draft a new mission and new constitution. They were adopted as he presided over the 16th Grand Conclave in 1954. Earl continued to serve on the Fraternity Board of Directors as a past president from 1954 to 1970. In 1966 Earl Webb, with Robert Nagel Jones and Warren Barberg, Alpha Kappa ’51, organized and incorporated the Sigma Tau Gamma Foundation. Earl served as the first Foundation treasurer (1967-72) and second president (1972-76), and then served a second term as treasurer (1976-78). Earl served as a Trustee of the Foundation from 1967 to 2003. Then continued his service as an Emeriti Trustee. Earl was actively involved in the Golden Challenge Campaign, which resulted in the construction of the Millsap Headquarters Building in 1977, and the Project PITCH Campaign. Earl participated in virtually every national Sigma Tau Gamma meeting from 1950 to 2008. Over those years Earl also participated in numerous chapter events, particularly Alpha Chapter homecoming events. Frequently, his beautiful bride Billie was at his side. In 1980 Earl A. Webb, Sr. was among the first inductees into the Society of the Seventeen. The Society was created as an honor to the most highly esteemed leaders of the Fraternity. Its number commemorated the number of original Founders. The presence of the Founders at national meetings proved to be inspirational, and with the passage of time, the Society was to continue that tradition.Among the Society honorees Earl A. Webb was the most revered. He became known as “Mr. Sig Tau.” It was so because of all that Earl had done for Sigma Tau Gamma. It was more fully so because of the man. Earl A. Webb treated every brother as an equal and with respect; be they an 18-year old collegiate or an 80-year old Founder. Earl had no hidden agendas. With directness softened by grace, Earl let you know where he stood. Whether you agreed or disagreed with Earl, you respected him because he respected you and was fully honest with you. He was, as they say, “one faced.” If you did disagree with him, and you were smart, you reevaluated your position. Earl A. Webb was faithful to the origins of Sigma Tau Gamma because he was always a teacher. At Hale and Faucett, Missouri he was formally a teacher. But, as he continued his life, he was a teacher, as a father and grandfather, as an employer and in countless interactions with brothers of Sigma Tau Gamma. One can think of no higher calling. Earl A. Webb was Mr. Sig Tau because he exemplified the man we all aspire to be. Earl A. Webb, Sr. was preceded in death by his parents, wife Billie and sister Marjorie Dollard. |
Earl Andrew Webb was born May 8th, 1916 in Bates City, Missouri to Andrew Cleon Webb and Maggie Lena Eagan Webb. He was the first of three children, older brother of Delma Hofer and Margarie Dollard.
