Kenneth Daniel Webster, M.D.'s Obituary
Kenneth Daniel Webster, M.D. (11/18/1936 - 3/22/2025) 88, was born in Akron, OH to Nancy Lou (nee Cummings) and Cordell Hull Webster. Three years later he was joined by his sister, Barbara Jean “Bobbie” Webster, of Akron (5/30/1939 - 7/16/2023). While attending Case Western Reserve University as an undergraduate pursuing academics, sports and band he met June Opdyke. Ken transferred to the University of Akron for his senior year, and following their graduations they married. They shared an abiding scientific curiosity resulting in both attending the Ohio State Medical School.
In the following years Ken and June (6/17/35 - 2/11/1995) were blessed with three children, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren whom he loved dearly, and to whom he passed his love of nature and sports. This included weightlifting, racket sports, fishing in Key West and snow skiing, especially in the West.
Ken is survived by his children Dr. Jeffrey (Bridget Duncan) of Reno, NV; Douglas of Heber City, UT and Kelly of Castle Rock, CO. Grandchildren Calvin and Kyle Webster, Ellie Elise (Austin Dahmer), Sara and Caitlyn Boyle, and Andrew (Amy Pinson) Lesser, and five great grandchildren.
Ken served as a surgeon in the 101st Airborne Division (“Screaming Eagles”) of the United States Army during the Vietnam war and was honorably discharged in 1969 as a Major receiving a Bronze Star and Army Commendation both for heroism. This experience had a profound impact on him physically, with loss of hearing, and emotionally throughout his life.
He had a successful practice in obstetrics/gynecology in Cleveland, OH and later specialized in gynecology oncology. He received advanced training at the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, NY and MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. He was elected to be a Fellow in the Felix Rutledge Society and a member of Society of Gynecologic Oncology and the Gynecology Oncology Group among his professional affiliations.
Following years in private practice he joined the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH for a distinguished career from 1978 until 2003 and continued with some post-retirement work. His patient care was exemplary, coupled with an empathetic bedside manner. Throughout his life including his final year he received notes of gratitude from former patients and family members. He also invested effort in many young doctors from whom he received notes of appreciation for his mentoring.
In 1991 he met Lucinda Lavelli, and they began a lifelong relationship of love. They married in 2005 and in recognition of their shared appreciation for music held their wedding at Severance Hall, home of the Cleveland Orchestra. He relocated to Winston-Salem, NC to join Lucinda who was recently appointed as Provost of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. In 2006 they again relocated, to Gainesville FL, for Lucinda who was appointed Dean of the College of the Arts at the University of Florida.
Prior to retirement, Ken and Lucinda engaged in ballroom dance with Dick Blake in Cleveland. In retirement Ken was able to actively pursue his passion for arts and nature. He served as a docent at Reynolda House Museum of American Art in Winston-Salem and the Harn Museum of Art in Gainesville. He was a donor to Dance Alive National Ballet and a named donor for its new building. He enrolled in tap dance, and under the direction of Florida artist, Annie Pais, developed his watercolor talent focused on flowers and birds inspired by kayaking the Florida waterways with Lars Andersen. He initially renewed his love of saxophone from his band days with various teachers and further developed his musicianship with piano lessons with Elizabeth Adams and Shanna Thompson.
After a lengthy battle with dementia Ken succumbed 3/22/25 in Gainesville. His family extends appreciation to his doctors, therapists and caregivers (especially Landon Stone), whose care maintained his quality of life in his later years.
Ken and Lucinda endowed the Kenneth D. Webster Saxophone Scholarship at the University of Florida. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Webster Scholarship fund UF Foundation memo line F014231: Mail to: COTA Advancement c/o Charlotte Morse, 1389 Stadium Road Gainesville, FL 32611 or the Ohio State College of Medicine. ([email protected] Fund # 313458 White Coat Program).
The family will receive friends to celebrate Ken’s life and friendship April 29, 2025 from 3:00-5:00 at the Hawkstone Country Club, 9904 SW 44th Ave., Gainesville, FL.
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