J. Sid Webb; Former TRW Executive, Philanthropist
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J. Sid Webb, a former TRW executive and longtime chairman of the Doheny Eye Institute at UCLA, has died at the age of 79.
Webb, who lived in Hidden Hills for more than four decades, died of cancer Wednesday at USC/Kenneth Norris Jr. Comprehensive Cancer Center, said his personal assistant, Barbara Knox.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. March 31, 1999 For the Record
Los Angeles Times Wednesday March 31, 1999 Home Edition Part A Page 18 Metro Desk 2 inches; 36 words Type of Material: Correction
Doheny affiliation--An obituary in Tuesday’s Times for J. Sid Webb, chairman of the Doheny Eye Institute, incorrectly noted that the institute is affiliated with UCLA. It is affiliated with USC and located at 1450 San Pablo St., Los Angeles, Calif. 90033.
Still active in business as well as charitable pursuits at the time of his death, Webb was chairman of the board of San Diego-based Titan Corp., a satellite communications company.
He had been chairman of the Doheny Eye Institute for two decades and in 1987 co-wrote its history, a book titled “The Estelle Doheny Legacy.” The late Carrie Estelle Doheny, widow of oil baron Edward Laurence Doheny, lost the sight in her left eye on her 69th birthday and eventually went blind. Her vision loss, Webb related, led to creation of the institute in 1947.
As chairman of the institute’s Board of Directors, Webb was a major fund-raiser and organizer of annual events honoring contributors such as his former boss, Simon Ramo, co-founder of TRW Inc., and cowboy star and businessman Gene Autry.
Born in Salt Lake City, Webb earned his business degree from San Jose State in 1941 and worked in the San Francisco area until joining El Segundo-based TRW. There he became general manager of its electronics operation and then executive vice president. In 1978, he replaced Ramo as vice chairman of the Board of Directors and became a member of the chief executive office.
After his TRW retirement, Webb served on boards of many corporations, including N.W. Gibson International Inc. of Los Angeles, EIP Microwave Inc. of Newport Beach and ESI Inc. of San Jose.
He also served on the Board of Governors of the Los Angeles County Music Center’s Performing Arts Council. His philanthropic activities earned a City of Hope Spirit of Life award in 1981.
Webb is survived by his wife of 57 years, Lucille; his daughter, Janet Sippl of Laguna Niguel; his son, Jim Webb III of Cambria; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
The family has asked that any memorial donations be made to the Wendy Webb Endowed Memorial Scholarship Fund in honor of his daughter, who died in an automobile accident. The fund is at the University of the Pacific, 3601 Pacific Ave., Stockton, CA 95211.
A memorial service is scheduled for 10 a.m. April 10 at the Calabasas Inn in Calabasas.
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