USC School of Medicine - Asklepiad Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

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Dr, John W. Mehl, Biochemistry Dr. Morjorie Blddie, Microbiology Dr. George Griffith. Emeritus Professor of Medicir 23

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We are as honored to dedicate this page as we are grieved at the loss of Doctor John Leyden Webb, professor and chairman of the department of Pharma- cology. Dr. John L. Webb A native Colifornion, Dr. Webb was educated at Cal-Tech, where, studying under Nobel laureate Linus Pauling, he gained a lasting interest in Biochemical and Biological science. Upon graduation, he joined the USC Pharmacology staff. Although he had never taken a course in the subject. Dr. Webb found himself, his motivation and ability, well suited for Pharmacology. So well suited, in fact, that he rose quickly, assuming in 1952, full professorship and shortly thereafter, the chairmanship of the department. An inspiring leader, he attracted around him a galaxy of talented associates. His enthusiasm and enterprise were contagious, and in his fourteen years as chairman Dr. Webb built one of the nation ' s best departments of Pharmacology. A diligent researcher, in 1963, Dr. Webb was awarded the University ' s acclaim for excellence in creative scholarship and research. He read constantly, and published prodigiously. Between 1964 and 1966 alone. Dr. Webb published 38 times. He published 3 volumes of his unique work on enzyme inhibitors. This work, the product of this man ' s energetic mind and 18 years of research was published in an era when such a task would be considered difficult even for a committee of experts. Even burdened with such responsibility. Dr. Webb never forgot what he considered his primary task: the teaching of his students. An interested, involved teacher. Dr. Webb directed his energies toward teaching the scientific rational of treatment, rather than the expediency of it. He taught the doctors responsibility for the individual patient; both medically and financially. So superb was his teaching, that in 1960 he won the all University award for excellence in teaching. A diversely interested man. Dr. Webb painted Sumi Japanese art, wrote poetry, read and enjoyed classics, and earned membership in the American Institute of Archeology. Diversely interested and yet modest. Dr. Webb ' s remarkable paintings were not hung in his office, and his poetry remained locked in his desk drawer. 25 A superb researcher and inspired leader, a concerned teacher and diverse individual, John Webb will be remembered for all of these, and, to those closest, his students, his associates and friends, he will be remem- bered for his warmth, his wit and concern. All of us are grateful for John Webb, all of us will miss him greatly.