Alan Webber (1925-2011) died April 14. He started to work as part-time copy editor for Empire Press in the spring of 1992 and was reading copy at home the day of his death. He died from a ruptured aorta while practicing his trombone for one of two weekly gigs he did with his jazz band at Leesburg King's Court Tavern. He liked limericks. Here is one a bit too tasteful for his tastes:

There once was a perpetually young man from Short Hill
Who long played the trombone for a thrill
While his horn was well worn
It still played sweet as corn
Though copyediting was what paid the bill...barely


His service is Saturday April 30 at 11 a.m.
St. Peter's Episcopal Church
37018 Glendale St.
Purcellville, VA 20132