Memorial Program for the many who have donated their bodies to the
University of Utah this last year (including Arnold Jay Webber -

date of death: 23 Jun 2009

Salt Lake City, Utah



Program

University of Utah Health Sciences Center Memorial Service honoring those who
have donated their bodies to advance science and information
Friday May 28, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. Salt Lake City Cemetery

Military Honors ---------------------- VFW District 2

Welcome ----------------------Kerry Don Peterson, Body Donor Program, Director

Comments ------------------ Jordan P. Barker, MS2013

Musical Presentation -------- "Ashokan Farewell"
Chelsea Stephenson & Nancy Vu, MS 2012

Comments ------------ Richard R. Orlandi, M.D.,
Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery

Comments ----------------- Susan K. Stroud, M.D.
Emergency Medicine, Residency Program Director

Musical Presentation -------- "Love Remains",
Glenn Register, University Hospital Volunteer

Appreciation ------ Wayne M. Samuelson, M.D.
School of Medicine, Senior Associate Dean

Congregational Sharing ---------- Open Invitation

Comments and Benediction --- David A. Morton, Ph.D
Neurobiology & Anatomy, Assistant Professor

Refreshments

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The Salt Lake City Cemetery is on a high hill, near the University
of Utah, on the northeast corner of the Valley, where one has a
beautiful view of the Salt Lake Valley. On the northwest corner of the
Cemetery, there is a large headstone that reads "University of Utah
Donors Program - to those who donated their body to advance science
and education"

It was a half sunny day with clouds gathering in the west that were
moving east. During the service it was nice weather.

As the car was parked, we could see the hundreds of tombstones,
some dating back to mid 1800's. Some veterans were getting their guns
prepared. A red and white canvas shade cover was up, green plastic
grass cover, about 50 chairs were set, a podium, PA system, and some
musical instruments.

As we walked from the car to the area we could hear a man playing
his guitar and singing calming folk songs - a prelude for the program.
There were people ages 0 to 90+ , these being the relatives of all
kinds of the ones who had donated their body... husbands, wives,
children, grandchildren, grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunts,
uncles, cousins, in-laws, and those of no relationship (those being
the medical students and teachers). Most people were dressed in Sunday
dress. People were calm and helpful to one another. There was a
feeling of reverence as found before a Church Meeting.

The director of the Body Donor Program stepped forward and gave a
welcome to everyone and a thank you to all who had come and for being
the one(s) who cared for the people who had passed on.

A Military Salute was given (fitting to do as it Memorial Day
weekend) and as some who had passed away had been in service of their
country. Then followed by a soft musical number.

As the program progressed with comments made by the numerous
departments of medicine people, it gave one more understanding of why
the donor program(s) are so important. How helpful this is for
students to learn better of how the human body functions and how
helpful the program is for progress in discovery. Right away it was
said that, "Often we think that we have learned all there is to know
about the body, however more and more is being discovered".

Directors gave some experiences of how such progress is being made
their departments, as eyes, ears, nose, head, neck, emergency
techniques, and more. If something new wasn't discovered, the program
gives students a way to learn so much better by actually seeing the
functions about the human body.

Statements were made of the history of the donors program. How
hundreds of years ago people had to go grave-robbing to get a human
body to look at and dissect.

One speaker said he had thoroughly studied the textbook, but was able
to understand much more when he saw the actual body parts dissected.
From this experience years ago he has been able to help in the sinus
program and how this is going forward, as so many people have sinus
problems that they hardly can go anywhere.

The woman who spoke from Emergency Medicine said how through the body
donor program the students, medicine has developed so much to help
train people so when people come in the emergency rooms at hospitals
they know to do. Several people who had been her students , have
spread out to places in the world, and are able to help people much
more now.

All the talks were of gratefulness, and sympathy to the families of
which the loved ones have had to leave for this time. Several of the
speakers commented about how they often wonder about what experiences
the person has been through in life. A number of talks were emotional
with the speaker holding back from tears.

During the Congregational Sharing, numerous people shared stories
about how the person, their loved one, had wanted to help science, and
to donate their body. Each felt their loved one has further helped
science through the program.

Dallin went up to the microphone and said how loved his grandfather
(Arnold Webber). That his grandfather loved to read and learn, and how
he likes to learn. Barbara followed Dallin, commenting how she has
seen many similarities between Dallin and Arnie (both have great minds
and can remember vast amounts of information).

The last speaker gave a great big thank you to all again, and then
closing prayer.

After the program light refreshments were served and people mingled
more with the students of medicine to talk briefly. I spoke to the
director of the Body Donor Program and told him how much better I felt
in that further explaining of the program made me feel of letting my
husband's body be donated to the program. Arnie is one for progression
and discovery.

I commented to the director that when there was national and world
news coverage on TV years ago with the University of Utah involved
about the heart transplant and Jarvis heart......before I could finish
the sentence, he was beaming and said how proud he felt that the
University of Utah was involved.

On the way over to the program I was asked by David, where I had
found out about the donors program. I told him that John had found the
website of the University of Utah about two years ago. They have a
form to fill out and one can read about it further by entering
University of Utah Body Donor Program

After the services I heard a number of people asking what they
needed to do sign up for the program and they are told to look up
University of Utah Body Donor. The address is:
http://www.neuro.utah.edu/related_links/bodydonor/index.html

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I am happy that my husband was able to participate in body donor
program and am sure he is grateful to be under the Tombstone for Body
Donors. Arnie loves to learn, teach and his body was able to help more
students learn more.
As the world is learning so much more, spreading out, the medical
colleges are growing. There are programs similar to the one above
for the medical colleges all over the world. We have seen organ
donation become common, but it is not done without permission. I urge
others to learn what you need to do to become a organ and body donor
to college nearest you. Sites can be found on the internet. Such
programs keep record of everyone's body they use
Working in Family History Research I have seen how the cemeteries
have been needed at times in keeping track of our ancestors records.
The large headstones have carried much information. Having a husband
and wife, and their parents, and small children buried near each other
with the same surname says it probably the same family. Their once
was little paper and many didn't know how to read. Now the
cemeteries have been recorded into books and onto the internet, along
with the many other records.. We are keeping current record of many
ways. Arnie was a genealogical researcher. He used cemetery
records to find many lines. We spent many vacation times in the
Genealogical Library instead of sightseeing, I'm sure he is working
even more now. I am sure he is proud to be under the Tombstone for
Body Donors.

A Good Kind Man

I'm writing just to send my thoughts and prayers for your family! I remember Arnold as a very giving and kind-hearted man back when I knew the kids in Flagstaff, Arizona. I lost contact and saw the obituary in the Navajo Times a week ago. My name is T. Hubbard and I would just like to tell the kids to be strong and exemplify the man your Dad was in everything you do!

Take care guys,

Terrill Hubbard
T Hubbard

Saying Farewell

We were hoping for a good recording of the service, that hope was granted. We used a 10$ MP3 player. We were impressed with the cassette quality when coming through. My dad's voice was well heard and understood as if he was physically singing the song "Buttermilk Skies". We will be posting this recording. Please e-mail us if your interested in this 1 hour service. We'll send you the link address privately.
John Webber

Arnie's Life History and Some Personal Thoughts

Arnold Webber
Life History


Arnold Jay Webber was born on July 15, 1948 in Duluth, Minnesota.

When just 18 months old, he was badly burned and received one of the 1st skin graphs of the time.

Arnie grew up with 3 siblings: Christine, Harry, Warren. Their family was poor and didn’t have much so they used their imaginations a lot while playing.

When he was young, his mother and father divorced, and Arnie was raised mainly by his mom and grandmother.

Not too long after the divorce, two sister missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (the “Mormon” Church) knocked on their door. They taught Arnie’s mother the gospel, she gained a testimony, and joined the Church. Arnie was baptized shortly thereafter.

His mom moved the family a lot so Arnie grew up in Minnesota, Utah, and California.

He became interested in family history and maps when he was young. They remained two of his main interests for the rest of his life.

Arnie graduated from Duluth High School in Minnesota in 1966. He worked here and there for a couple of years. Then a family friend, Shirley Collins, invited him to come stay with her family in Utah and helped him get into Brigham Young University (BYU).

While attending school at BYU Arnie majored in Historical Geography and minored in Library Science.

Also while at BYU, Arnie met a young woman from near Phoenix, Jillene King. They soon fell in love and got engaged. They were married in the LDS Mesa, Arizona Temple on June 2, 1971.

One year and 1 1/2 months later, in July, 1972, David Alan was born.

Both Arnie and Jill graduated from BYU in May 1973. Just 5 months later, in Oct. 1973, a daughter, Barbara Ellen came along.

In 1974 Arnie was hired to be the Elementary and Jr. High Librarian at Cibecue, AZ, on the Apache Indian Reservation. While there Arnie saw the need for community library and, with the help of others, got it started in a small building. Later a large community library building was built.

Also while in Cibecue, another son, Mark Robert, joined the family in June 1975.

At the end of 1976, Red Mesa High School on the Navajo Indian Reservation offered him the position of High School Librarian. The Webbers moved up to Red Mesa, AZ near the Four Corners, where they lived for 11 years.

During the years at Red Mesa, John Andrew was born in Oct. 1977 and Warren Arnold was born in Feb. 1981, giving Arnie and Jill 5 children.

As well as being the high school librarian, Arnie also occasionally taught Spanish, French, German, and Social Studies.

Through the Red Mesa years Arnie drove his family on a 40 mile round trip each Sunday to attend the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon Church) in Teec Nos Pos, AZ.

In 1988 the National Geographic Magazine bought a series of maps Arnie had made showing presidential election data from 1800’s to 1980’s to publish in an atlas they were making. Arnie was thrilled. That same year he and Jill bought a large home in Cortez, Colorado and moved their family there. Arnie still worked at Red Mesa, commuting each day. Arnie continued working as the Red Mesa High School librarian until his retirement in 1996 due to health problems.

In 2000 Arnie and Jill sold their Cortez house (the day after it was put up for sale) and moved up to Salt Lake City, Utah to be closer to the LDS Church’s Family History Library during their retirement years.

In 2004 Arnie’s health had deteriorated enough that he was moved into a nursing home. Jill needed someone to keep an eye on her because of her epilepsy, so she moved in with him. Arnie continued to spend most of each day working of Family History until about a year ago, when his health hindered him too much.

Arnold Jay Webber passed away peacefully on June 23, 2009.


Those are the major events in Arnie’s life. Here is a bit about him as a person:

One of first things most people noticed about him was his kindness to and interest in people. He loved people. He was genuinely interested in and cared about people and made many great friends throughout his life. His love of people was also life-long challenge, partly because of abuse and rejection by his father when he was young that left emotional scars, and partly because he had manic depression, which made some people distance themselves from him. Because of the emotional scars and the manic depression he felt those people’s emotional distance more keenly and personally than most people would have. That was tough on him through the years but it didn’t stop him from continuing to reach out and love others. And many people loved him in return. He would go out of his way to help anyone who needed help or simply make someone’s day brighter.

Arnie loved books and would absorb them like a sponge. He was always reading 3 or 4 books at a time. He had an amazing mind. He was absolutely brilliant. He almost had a photographic memory, which came in handy with his love of reading; he retained most of what he read. I (Barbara) used to watch the TV game show, Jeopardy, with him regularly. He would easily answer almost all the questions on each show. I thought he should try to get on the show but he said he would get stage fright.

Arnie was very interested in history. He read a lot about history and could tell you more than anyone I’ve ever met about it. Once he and Shirley Collins had to drive all night. To keep herself awake Shirley told Arnie at the start of the drive, “Tell me the history of the world.” And he did – hour after hour as they drove through that night.

Arnie was also interested in demographics (population statistics). One specific area of interest was how people voted across the country. This is why he made maps of presidential election returns as a hobby. My mom says he would watch the TV election returns/reports during the presidential elections the way sports fans watch football or basketball games.

He also knew geography extremely well. He always loved maps and globes. Jill did family history research along with Arnie and always asked him what county some city or town was in rather than looking it up on a map herself. Arnie could tell her off the top of his head. He knew much of the world that well too.

He also loved music, especially classical and folk music. He not only listened to and sang music; he also wrote songs himself. He couldn’t read music. He wrote the words and put the melody together in his head – and always remembered it.

He had a beautiful tenor singing voice. We children remember him singing from when we were babies. He sang to us kids before putting us to bed when we were very young. He sang around the house and in the car while driving. I remember many times riding in the car with our family at night listening to my dad singing to help him stay awake while driving. He usually sang two genres of songs: lovely, thought-provoking, emotion-stirring songs, or silly songs.

Arnie enjoyed being goofy, and silly songs was just part of it. He loved to laugh. He laughed easily and heartily. It was fun to tell him something funny because he’d always laugh so well.

He also loved good food. He loved cherries, strawberries, fancy cheeses, French food, Chinese food, etc. He cooked fancy food at home sometimes. I remember Webber Burgers with all sorts of things mixed in the meat – much fancier than a regular old burger. If he made a salad it was a chef salad with ham, cheese, and the works. His French fancy foods didn’t get much appreciation by anyone except me. My brothers would often microwave a hot dog instead. My dad would respond in mock offense by calling them “Peasants!”

Arnie was interested in and a dedicated researcher of family history since he was a child. He spent untold number of hours throughout his life doing family history research for his family and others.

He loved the Navajo people and many of them loved him. He had a special connection with them, especially those of high school age. Almost any time Arnie's children have run into a Navajo who knew Arnie from Red Mesa the children were told how much that person liked Arnie and were asked enthusiastically how Arnie was doing.

Arnie was also a loving and devoted father, husband, and grandfather. Here is part of a talk I gave in Church on parenting a few weeks ago:

“I would like to tell you a little about one of my heroes: my dad. My father had a rough childhood. He was abused by his father when he was young. Not much later his parents split up, leaving my grandmother to raise four children pretty much on her own. Like too many children in divorced families, my dad felt he was partly to blame for his parents’ divorce. Later my grandfather even denied that my father was his son for a while. All of these things left deep emotional scars with my father that he’s had to deal with all his life. When my father was older he made a decision to do all he could to be a different father than what he’d had. He stuck to that decision while he and my mom raised me and my four brothers. My dad was not a perfect father, but his effort to be the best dad he could had an enormous impact for good on me. He made sure he often expressed his love for me and my brothers and let us know that he thought highly of us and was proud of us. I have many, many memories of my dad playing with us. He played with us outside, played games and built things with us inside, sang to us, and simply spent time with us. He listened to me when I was older and going through the roller coaster of the teenage years. He gave some good advice, but mainly listened, which helped me a lot. My dad apologized to us if he made a mistake. He let us know he had a testimony of the gospel and tried to live it. My dad told me not too long ago that there were times he had to fight the urge to abuse us kids like he had been abused, but he didn’t give in. Overall, my dad did a great job being a dad, despite his own rough beginnings.”

I was a daddy’s girl and love my father very much. I have countless sweet memories involving him. He was one of the most important people in my life and I will miss him. Being his daughter has been one of the greatest blessings Heavenly Father has given me. I’m so grateful to know that I’ll see him again after this life. It may be quite a few years before that happens but in the timescale of eternity, it will be just the blink of an eye.

Thought from David

We saw how Dad was able to help teenagers and young adults out, and we often saw them come over expressly to talk to Dad about personal issues, and I imagine the library had the same thing happen from time to time.

From Arnie's sister Christine

When I think of Arnold the very first thing I think of is him and his maps. When I started making paper dolls, he started making maps, something he never stopped loving. The other things I think of are libraries and research. He excelled in school and life, but never forgot about his family, in whom he had great pride.
I am proud to have had Arnold for my brother, in spite of his limitations, both mental and physical. He achieved and excelled in all parts of his life. Personally he was warm, loving, and accepting of others. He made others feel comfortable and enjoyed the gift of gab. He was well loved by many as well as by myself. Arnold, we miss you. Arnold, I love you, my brother, my friend.
Christine

From Arnie's brother Warren

Arnold J. Webber and the story of the many strong and wonderful animals:

In Ogden, Utah, late fifties, the days of “howdie Doodie and Buffalo Bob”. For those unacquainted with the subject, refer to “Raiders of the Lost Ark #4, created town just before the bomb exploded. That was our extent of entertainment, unless we made it up ourselves. And we did too. We were really talented in making up our own fun. Your father was the best,” Cops and Gadianton Robbers”, “cowboys and Lamanites”, and of course the “ mighty animals”. One of our favorite games was wagon train. Someone had given my mother a red wagon to use while she would make her monthly run to the commodities center to pick up her cheese and powdered milk, and whatever was available. When not being used for that purpose Christine, Harry and I would load into the back of the wagon and your father would be the oxen and pull us around the block, I was always amazed at the strength of such a young boy. We loved him and we were very proud of him for the things he was so good at, like map-making, and the knowledge of history, He made the best grizzly bear, and buffalo, complete with sound. He was always a great lover of the Native Americans.

He was an amazing man, I love him very much and always will. As soon as he reached the other side you know Heavenly Father put him to work right away. We have his example of Genealogy second only maybe to your mother.

Remembering Arnie

Arnie shared my love for books and reading but he didn't just read a book he absorbed it. I marveled at his ability to file away information in his remarkable memory and bring it out when discussing a topic. After he and his family moved farther away from us and our visits were infrequent I missed our discussions of books, politics, social customs, history or whatever came up, Our reading tastes were different. Mine ran to lighter reading but I admired his ability to lose himself in heavier material. Our politics were different,too. I am a Democrat and he was a Republican and our differences led to some lively discussions, which we both enjoyed and which I missed when they moved away.
Arnie's poltical maps. where he tracked the votes by party through the states and counties, were very important to him. We all were so proud and happy for him when National Geographic purchased a set of his maps. I often thought of Arnie during this last election, when the large maps were displayed on TV showing the voting patterns. I hoped he was well enough to enjoy watching it.
Arnie loved his family and often told me what a wonderful wife he had and how proud he was of his children. He will be missed even though we know he is in a better place and must be very happy to have left his tired body. He must be meeting some of the people he had researched and got their records ready for their temple work. When he and Jill moved to Salt Lake they were both in their element where they had access to all the genealogical records, Arnie was ecstatic about doing research and I'm sure there are many people where he is now that are thanking him. I wish him well and proud to be his mother-in-law.
Mary King

Regrets and admiration

In August 2000, I told my father that I was leaving the church. A little later, he came to me in tears, because he was watching Fiddler on the Roof, and the part of the film, of Chava marrying outside the faith, brought him worry that he & the family would lose me forever. When I was recently told he was coming to his end, that scene from Fiddler on the Roof, especially the music in it, played in my head that night into the next day. Particularly, the quiet strings at the beginning kept repeating & repeating, like a haunting, the vocals would fight to be heard, because I wasn't letting my dad's love fully enter. And I also thought the lyrics were out of place, because they were about a daughter & not a son. But I soon accepted that they were about a parent's love for his or her child.
And I also let my dad's love enter. I was at work when his passing was announced to me, and I knew I couldn't break down at work, I had to keep going for my shift, keep my stage-face on. For a long time when I was a teen, I was upset with him, because I had to watch him fall apart & I felt he was letting himself break down. When I was a kid, he seemed so much stronger & confident- I hoped I could be as bright & sophisticated as he was. I had a hard time understanding his mental & physical troubles were beyond his control. In March 2000, just hours before I returned to college from spring break, he sat me down & explained all his mental ailments to me. He didn't want me to have the same inner problems he had.
When I was a kid, I always loved to hug him, because he was a big & tall man, and it was like hugging "a great, big teddy bear." And he studied genealogy (family history) all the time, and mapped out our heritage & ancestry for us & many other people. A few years ago, he gave a revelation & full biography about a black woman who was our ancestor; he did this to bravely confront a fear & prejudice that my grandma had from her generation & sector of society.
I owe my curiosity of history, politics, science & culture, and desire to help & love the world, to him, and am saddened that he won't get to see what projects & stories I plan to give in the future... or in this life. I love him & will miss him. Warren Webber

Looking at Dimitri

Today we were playing with a ball and hearing Dimirti laughing and squealing. This took me back to wrestling matches that my Dad would have with us. We had fun. These wrestling matches would last for about 10 minutes or so. I wanted them to last forever. I started recalling memories as I was wrestling with Michael and Samantha Dobbs years ago (my two other kidos). The time went by and Dimitri went outside to play. I can only appericate the very simple moments in life as they come. John Webber

Today Was The Day

My dad has blessed so many in his life. He has left nuggets of knowledge and has had a success that few men will ever realize In This Life. John Webber

Hágoónee' (Until Later)

This blog is for those who know him and for those who never got to know him. He has grandchildren and family members who haven't had the oppurtnity to know this very good man. Please post your thoughts and stories to share.