Meet our Heritage Society Members
Meet our Heritage Society Members
Lincoln D. Cathers ’56
Lincoln D. Cathers ’56 has been a member of the Heritage Society since 1989, when he made a bequest to Webb Institute. Mr. Cathers has also been recognized for his lifetime giving to Webb. In 2010, he received the WebbEY award for 50 years of consecutive giving. He is being spotlighted here not only for his generosity but for his extensive commitment of service and dedication to Webb.
Since his graduation, he has proven to be one of the most dedicated alumni, volunteering on many different levels. He is a Life Member of the WAA and was president of the Alumni Association during Webb’s 100th year anniversary. He is also a past trustee and in 2009 was awarded the distinguished William Selkirk Owen Award. He served as the Washington D.C. alumni representative for many years, planning their big annual gatherings.
Mr. Cathers was very instrumental in helping Webb develop and initiate its Planned Giving Program. He additionally volunteered his time to write numerous articles for Webb News explaining the variety of ways other alumni have included Webb in their estate planning.
In 1949, Lincoln first came to know Webb through his high achievements in the Boy Scouts of America, which initially cemented his desire to attend Webb. He decided to attend Webb after reading an article in the Saturday Evening Post, where Webb was said to be a better school than Princeton. He saw Webb as a real challenge and it seemed to be a good fit since he always wanted to be an engineer.
As a student, Lincoln was very inspired by the Webb Honor Code and his participation in Student Government, they were both very strong elements of the Webb experience. His favorite professor at Webb was Humanities Professor Woody Long, whose economics and public speaking classes he really enjoyed.
After leaving Webb in 1956, Lincoln attended George Washington University, where he pursued a J.D. Degree. He had an exciting career working as a naval architect for the Department of the Navy. His diverse career assignments included two Presidential Commissions, design and development of the two rescue subs built in the aftermath of the USS Thresher (SSN593) on sea trials in 1963. His career also included several years in the Polaris Program and as design manager of USS Seawolf (SSN-21) during its preliminary and contract design. For this effort he was awarded the Navy’s Superior Civilian Service Award.
Lincoln and his wife Nancy reside in Queensbury, N.Y. Together they raised four daughters (Caren, Jennifer, Courtney and Lynsey) and they also have 10 grandchildren ranging in ages 10–20. One is currently a senior at the University of Maryland and three others will be entering college in the fall of 2013, with one who recently received a full Air Force ROTC scholarship to Duke University.
Throughout the years, Lincoln devoted a lot of his time to the Boy Scouts and the Glens Falls Rotary Club. He was awarded an Eagle Scout at 14 and represented Region 2 (New York and New Jersey) in 1949 where he met President Truman. In 2004, he was awarded the Silver Beaver by the Boy Scouts (the highest award one can attain at the Council Level). Lincoln also served as president of 156 member Glens Falls Rotary Club, was recognized as Club Rotarian of the Year in 2006 and District Rotarian of the Year in 2004.
During his lifetime, Lincoln has almost 50 years of vacationing with his family at Lake George. He and his wife Nancy and four daughters are currently building a new “Camp Cathers,” tearing down the 70-year old summer home and replacing it with a much larger year-round home, in order to accommodate their growing family and provide them with a place to gather in the future.
Lincoln passed away on Saturday, June 1st, 2013. We’ve lost a devoted member of the Webb community and he will be missed by all who knew him.