Thanks, Linn. You beat me to it. Also included in the copy Wayne Beach sent me was, "A memorial service is planned for the spring. Details will be available at www.richmondwebb.com. " There also was a very nice photo. If I can, I'll send a link to Joe Offer...with permission from the family.

The following is the email letter sent out today by Wayne Beach, of the wonderful Friends of the Phippsburg Community Concert Series in Phippsburg, Maine. He has given me permission to post it here. Thanks, Wayne.
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"Friends of the Phippsburg Community Concert Series,

It is with sadness that I relay news of Bob Webb's passing. Bob co-founded this concert series and, as many of you know, was a fine and well-respected musician.   After an intense illness, he died peacefully at home on December 25, surrounded by his family. Our thoughts are with his wife, Helen, and his daughter, Margaret.

Music blogs are already alive with tributes to Bob and filled with testimonials to what a generous mentor and friend he was. I too will miss him. He was a friend and a fascinating guy.

His life was devoted to what he loved: his family, music, history, and writing. 2013 was his fiftieth anniversary as a performer. Bob was a master of the clawhammer banjo and curated the first important exhibition on the history of the banjo at the MIT Museum, writing a book to accompany the exhibit.

While many of you heard him perform, most recently in a fine tribute to the music and life of Woody Guthrie, his musical career had many fascinating curves - including managing a night club in San Diego in the early 1970s, during which he gave Tom Waits (his bouncer) his first onstage gig. By the way, he never boasted about the fact that he did two tours performing with Tom and played such stellar venues as Lincoln Center. I had to find that out from looking at a book by Waits.

Bob's life and career had so many interesting pockets that I can only refer you to the fine and eloquent obituary prepared by his family that appeared in yesterday's Portland Press Herald and will be appearing in today's Times Record. It is attached herewith, as is a fine photo of Bob taken by his wonderful daughter, Margaret.

His well-lived life was also devoted to deepening a sense of community - both within the larger community of musicians as well as the community in which he lived. That's why this concert series was born.   May it last and may it flourish - as one way of honoring Bob's memory.

See you at the next show - on January 24. While it's a show honoring Phippsburg's bicentennial, featuring fine musicians with a connection to Phippsburg, we're dedicating it to the memory of one of its finest."

Peace,

Wayne Beach
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