Long time feed industry leader Dean K. Webster, died on August 24, 2019 following many decades of service to his family, his community and to the northeast agriculture industry. “Working for and with Dean Webster was definitely my honor and privilege,” said NEAFA member Mike Smith of Feed Ingredient Trading Corporation. “Dean was the face of Blue Seal Feeds, and before that H. K. Webster for many years. He was honorable, honest, and strong, and quite often the voice of reason. His loss is a loss for all of us.”
Former NEAFA President John Mitchell also had memories of working with Webster. “Dean was a real leader, not only in Northeastern Ag but in the national feed industry,” said Mitchell. “He was a key strength of the New England Grain and Feed Association, the predecessor of NEAFA. Dean was a true Gentleman that had the ability to not only paint visions, but to have them succeed. With his great wisdom and calm personality, he was the guy you wanted next to you in the middle of a storm. He was the kind of guy you wanted to get to know, a mentor to myself and I’m sure to many others.”
Webster’s obituary is reproduced below from Bibber Memorial Chapel. https://bibberfuneral.com/book-of-memories/3955340/Webster-Dean/index.php
Dean K. Webster, formerly of Andover, MA, died on August 24, 2019. Dean was born in 1929, the son of D. Kingman and Mina (Muirhead) Webster. He was graduated from Phillips Academy, Andover in 1947 and William College, Williamstown, MA in 1951. Having spent summers in the U.S. Marine Corps Officers Training Program in Quantico, VA, he served in Korea from 1951-1953 as an officer.
Upon returning to the States, Dean joined the H.K. Webster Co., a family business, located on West Street in Lawrence, MA. With his cousin, R. Kingman Webster, the two ran the family business, renamed Blue Seal Feeds, Inc., and expanded throughout the northeast with their satellite mill program.
Dean became President of Blue Seal Feeds in 1968 as the company celebrated its 100th anniversary. That same year he married Eliza T. Mason of Richmond, VA and they settled in Andover, MA, where they were blessed by the births of their two daughters.
Dean’s years in the Greater Lawrence area were marked by his outstanding service to the community. He served as President of the Greater Lawrence YMCA, Chairman and later President of the Merrimack Valley United Fund, President of the New England Feed and Grain Council, President of the American Feed Manufacturers Association and received their distinguished service award in 1984 for his leadership and service to agriculture and for innovations in the feed manufacturing industry and farming.
Upon his retirement from the company in 1994, Dean received the Ralph B. Wilkinson Award from the Greater Lawrence Chamber of Commerce for his outstanding community service and honorary membership in the New England Feed & Grain Council.
With Dean’s commitment to the animal feed industry, he also donated his time and resources to the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, which eventually culminated in the building of the Webster Family Library. Dean was also a generous supporter of Phillips Academy, the former St. Mary’s High School in Lawrence, MA, as well as the Central Catholic High School and Presentation of Mary Academy located in Lawrence and Methuen, MA respectively.
Dean was delighted to be blessed with 7 grandsons. After his retirement, Dean and Eliza moved to Maine where Dean enjoyed family visits, playing golf, his bridge group, reading and travel.
Dean is survived by his wife Eliza, his daughter Ann and her husband Tom Mead of Nokesville, VA, his daughter Lee and her husband David Barone of Lexington, MA and grandsons Joshua, Daniel, Andrew and Peter Mead, Andre Amazeen, Dean and Alex Barone, and nieces and nephew.
A private Graveside Service with military honors will be held on the morning of Thursday, August 29th, followed by a public Memorial Service at Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer Street, in Kennebunk, Maine at 2:00 p.m. on the same date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his name are encouraged to: Lawrence YMCA, 40 Lawrence Street, Lawrence, MA 01840.
To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit Dean‘s Book of Memories Page at www.bibberfuneral.com.
Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer Street, Kennebunk, ME 04043.