James Webb

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jim Webb. He was born in Weymouth MA to Nora Webb and the late Wendell Webb. He is survived by his wife, Diane Legendre and sons Luke and Nathan, brother Jonathan and wife Elizabeth and nephews Matthew and Robbie. Jim received his BS from Worcester Polytechnic Institute where he met his future wife. He received his MS from the University of Washington and PhD from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He and Diane married and relocated to OH where he did his post doctoral work at the University of Cincinnati, studying failure modes (cracks). He was hired by Corning Inc in 1997 where he and Diane raised their two sons. At Corning Inc he was a reliability expert and had several patents, published articles and received the prestigious People Development Award. At the end of his career he focused on mentoring and people developmen. As his mobility declined, coworkers came to his home for coaching and strategy meetings. He was revered for his wisdom.

Family and community were the focus of his life and began at an early age. He obtained the Eagle Scout award in High School. He volunteered with the Boy Scouts and Big Brother program prior to the birth of his sons. He joined rotary shortly after moving to Corning and served on the Youth Services Committee, RYLA, Scholarship Committee and Sustaining Fund Committee and received the distinguished Paul Harris Award.

Shortly after moving to Corning, he obtained his glider license at Harris Hill Soaring Club and served on their board. He loved the sky and thermalling with the birds. Neither of his boys were interested in flying so he took to the water sailing, something the family could do together. A Keuka Lake cottage was purchased and became a central point for friends and family. Jim loved driving the boat pulling tubers, knee boarders and water skiers. The kids were taught downhill skiing at a young age. He patiently taught them, knowing the investment would be great; both kids skied the black diamond trails of Maine with him as tweens.

Volunteering also changed as the boys grew. When the kids were very young and attended daycare, he served on the board of the Child Care Center at Christ Church. He spent years on the Corning Painted Post Board of Education always putting the students first. He was a robotics coach for Luke from middle school until he graduated from high school. He chaperoned both boys middle school class trips herding kids quickly into groups. He attended numerous band events, lacrosse games, soccer games and running events throughout elementary, middle and high school with telephoto lens in hand.

In October 2025 he was inducted into the Fryeburg Academy Hall of Excellence, his high school alma mater. A quote from his speech describes Jim's essence: "Over the years, I've come to believe that excellence is not perfection. It's technical depth mixed with awareness of your own ignorance. It's the confidence to dive in and the humility to ask, what am I still missing".

ALS claimed his life too soon. When he received the diagnosis, his scientific mind went into overdrive engineering tools to help him function. He kept his positive outlook and displayed courage, determination and a model of how to fight the good fight. He was the top fund raiser in the 2026 Rochester ALS walk and was working with als.org to help people challenge insurance denials.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday October 24th from 2-4 at Corning Community College in Corning. A short memorial service will be officiated by Reverend Jen Long beginning at 215.

As a tribute to Jim, hold your friends and family a little closer and tighter and become involved in your community.

Memorial donations in Jim's name can be made to CCALS (Compassionate Care ALS), The Food Bank of the Southern Tier, Corning Rotary or The Corning Hawks Education Foundation.

His care is entrusted to Weldon Funeral Home.