A man who always placed others before himself, George Hebard departed from this world on December 9, 2021 at the age of 79. He overcame the challenges of Parkinson’s Disease for fourteen years, valiantly continuing to live his life in full, but he ultimately succumbed to lymphoma. He spent his final days surrounded by friends and family at his Fox Hill Village home in Westwood, MA.
George is survived by his adoring wife of 56 years, Nancy Blossom Hebard, and his beloved sons and daughters-in-law, Charles Warren Hebard (Leigh) and George Whiting Hebard III (Peggy). He was totally devoted to his seven grandchildren, Nicholas Armstrong Hebard, Timothy Alden Hebard, Katherine Claiborne Hebard, Carter McIlwaine Hebard, Hadley Elizabeth Hebard, Avery Lee Hebard, and Paige Blackwell Hebard.
The son of Dr. George W. Hebard and Mrs. Joe Bowling Hebard, George was raised in New Canaan, CT in the company of his siblings, Ed, Arthur and the late Jo Hebard. He graduated from Salisbury School in Connecticut where he was elected President of the Student Body and was awarded the Founder’s Medal. He received a B.S. in Forest Botany from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse University. George furthered his education by earning Master’s degrees from Wesleyan University and Connecticut College.
Recently honored by his former students at The Episcopal Academy in Newtown Square, PA, George received accolades for his unique ability to connect with and inspire all his students. His passion for biology was contagious, inspiring many student career choices and broad appreciation of natural beauty and the environment. Involved in all aspects of school life, George coached football, hockey, and lacrosse. George continued his teaching career at Cabrini College in Radnor, PA, where he served as advisor to House Six and received the Denise Edwards Award for exhibiting dedication and spirit to Cabrini College athletics.
A strong believer in the value of community service, George spent 25 years volunteering as an EMT and fire fighter for the Radnor Fire Company. During that time, he was also a member of the Fire Department in Groton Long Point, CT.
A man of indomitable spirit, George set out to hike the entire 2,200 miles of the Appalachian Trail, one state each consecutive year. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease when he still had seven states and Maine’s Hundred Mile Wilderness ahead of him. Undaunted by this challenge, George’s self-discipline and perseverance enabled him to attain his goal in 2015 at the age of 73. An ever-evolving man of many projects, George particularly enjoyed restoring his 1946 Chevrolet wooden body station wagon, with the support of a range of family, friends and students.
A memorial service will be held at St. Paul’s Church in Dedham, MA on Saturday, December 18th at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Parkinson’s Foundation (www.parkinson.org) would be appreciated.