In Memoriam: Dr. Lawrence W. Ward PG’51

February 9, 2022

Photo above: Professor Ward teaching at Webb in 1967

We are sad to report that Professor Larry Ward PG’51 passed away at the age of 96 in Rocky Hill, CT (formerly of Locust Valley, NY) on January 10th, 2022.  

Please enjoy a recent article written by Anthony Zic, Webb’s Director of Development, originally published in the 2020-21 Annual Report (p.11). The article captures Professor Ward’s humor and generosity and his legacy, which will inspire future generations of Webbies.  

Professor Lawrence W. Ward PG’51: Giving Back to Webb Takes Many Forms

Professor Ward at Webb in 2011.

As Professor Ward and I met to discuss this feature article, he shared with me that he had just been thumbing through Edwin L. Dunbaugh’s A Centennial History of Webb Institute of Naval Architecture, reminiscing about the days when he and his late wife Grace hosted Webbies for meals. His smile was all I needed to know about these vivid memories and his family’s love for Webb.

Among his many exceptional attributes, Professor Ward has a remarkable sense of humor. “I created and ran a hockey team called the C+ Team at my skating club. I was sure to get on the team. There was an A and B Team, so that should tell you how good a player I was,” joked Professor Ward.

Professor Ward graduated from University of Michigan with a Bachelor’s degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering in 1948. In 1951, he received a Master’s from Webb in Nautical Engineering while conducting his thesis work under Professor Nevitt. He went on to work for Gibbs & Cox from 1948-51 in the Hull Scientific Division to work on the design of the SS United States, then joined the company’s Hydrofoil Group from 1952-55. In 1958, Professor Ward replaced Professor Bob Jensen to teach Structures and Fluids to both Webb undergraduates and Navy postgraduates, and the Fluids Lab and Flow Channel were later added to his many Webb responsibilities. He would serve as Webb professor for a remarkable 32 years and spent another four years taking care of the Robinson Model Basin (known by many as the Webb Tank).

Professor Ward and his family lived over the Robinson Model Basin for ten years. There were two apartments on the 2nd floor, the other occupied by Captain Robert A. Hinners, USN (Ret.) and his wife. Professor Ward fondly recalls that Webb Beavers helped with various tasks around the apartment and the labs, and as a show of gratitude, the Wards would invite students for meals at the apartment. “They were grateful. It was nice for the students to be a part of a family, our family, and besides, the Webb food was not so great at that time,” recalls Professor Ward.

Professor Ward with his wife, Grace.

Professor Ward went on to receive a Doctoral degree from Stevens Institute in 1962, and he conducted his thesis in Experimental Wave Resistance in the Webb Tank. He was then awarded a National Science Foundation fellowship and he and his family spent a year in Hamburg, Germany in 1965, during which time he enjoyed traveling to England, Scotland, and Norway.

In 1974, Professor Ward took the reins from the late Professor Thomas Bond ’45 as the Webb Alumni Fund Chairman. When I asked him why he took on this role, he simply said, “it just had to be done.” I then asked him what kept his record-breaking tenure going, he simply replied “inertia!”

“Larry Ward has been my teacher (at Webb), mentor, cheerleader, and friend for over 50 years. He was my role model as Webb Alumni Fund Chairman—a position he held for 24 years. For Webb graduates entering the workforce, his guidance was “Give a Week for Webb,” and for older alums who could contribute more, he advised “Give until it feels good!” Those two slogans have stood the test of time, and we can thank Larry Ward for putting the Webb Alumni Fund on the growth path that continues through today,” John Malone ’71, Webb Alumni Fund Chairman 1997-2015.

In 1989, Professor Ward received the greatest honor that may be bestowed upon a Webb alumnus, the William Selkirk Owen Award, for outstanding achievement and service to his profession and to Webb. He was a very active member of St. George’s Episcopal Church in New York City, which is how he met his late wife, Grace. Later, he was active at St. John’s of Lattingtown in Locust Valley. Rounding out the Ward family are their three children: John, Chris, and Anne.

The Ward family has been extraordinarily generous to Webb for decades. Professor and Mrs. Ward joined the Heritage Society in 1996 by transferring stock to Webb to establish a Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust. Most recently, Professor Ward established a scholarship fund that provides room and board stipends for Webb students with a demonstrated financial need. When I asked the Professor what prompted him to establish this scholarship fund, he replied, “I guess it still feels good!”