A Great Silverback Leaves Us

[Silverback John has left us for that great Jungle in the Sky. He will be remembered not as a loving husband of 57 years, not as the father of three wonderful children, not as a competent medical professional, not as a community-minded leader, not as a fun-loving companion, not as an athletic lover of the outdoors who loved kayaking and mountain biking, not as a man with a quick-wit, great sense of humor, and encyclopedic knowledge of 1960s rock and roll, not as a soldier who served his country in time of war … no, Silverback John will be remembered as the guy who showed up at Silverback gatherings wearing hippie beads. Such a legacy will be forever etched in our hearts and minds. A fond chorus of Oo-oos and double chest-thumps mark your departure from our earth Jungle. SB SM]

Obituary

John L. Westbrook, Jr, D.D.S., 79, of Randolph died at home on July 11, 2024.

Born in Goldsboro, North Carolina, John was the eldest of three sons of John and Julia (Cooper) Westbrook. He spent his formative years in Sunbury, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Sunbury High School, John attended Dickinson College where he met his future wife Susan. A keen interest in following his father’s footsteps and making a difference in the world led John to join the ROTC program at Dickinson. In 1967, upon graduation, he was commissioned as a lieutenant and received orders to serve at the Third Field Hospital in Saigon, Vietnam. He was awarded a Bronze Star Medal and the Army Commendation Medal for his service in Saigon.

After returning stateside, John studied dentistry at Temple University in Philadelphia. On the weekends, John and Susan enjoyed traveling throughout the northeast. They knew upon their first trip to Vermont that it would be their future home. 

Dr. Driscoll Reid introduced John and Susan to Randolph, and they promptly moved and began laying down their roots here in 1974. John practiced as a family dentist, and in 1980, established his own practice, providing dental care to residents of Randolph and surrounding areas. 

John was an active member of the Randolph community and a passionate believer in community service. From serving on the school board, Delta Dental, the Randolph Rotary and the Randolph Area Community Development Corporation board, John believed in action as a means for change. He was the Exchange Coordinator for the Randolph Rotary and enjoyed hosting young people from different countries and introducing them to all that Vermont has to offer. 

With the help of his sons Seth and Clay, John established the first club lacrosse team at RUHS and served as coach as the team took off and became an official varsity sport. 

A lover of the outdoors with an insatiable curiosity, John delighted in raising his children to be avid outdoors-people. He loved teaching others to ski and fly-fish. He knew when the jack-and-the-pulpits and the trillium would appear in the woods, and he knew the waterways and trails of Vermont by heart. One of his favorite pastimes was exploring the back roads of Vermont, always stopping at local diners and bakeries along the way, forever searching for the perfect cherry danish. 

He will be remembered for his love of good music, his meticulous organization of his gear, his uncanny ability to remember random facts, and his sense of humor. John loved to laugh. He had a big heart that touched many, a quick and clever mind and a mischievous grin. He will be deeply missed.

John is survived by his wife of 57 years, Susan Westbrook; children Seth (Tessa) of South Pomfret, Clay (Meghan) of Randolph, and Rachel (Rich) of Hardwick and Randolph; grandchildren Aven, Arlo, Beau, Wade, and Jamie. He is also survived by many loved ones in North Carolina, including his brothers Fred (Meigie) Westbrook and Jim (Debi) Westbrook. 

Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to VNA and Hospice of VT/NH, White River Partnership and Randolph Food Shelf.