John D. Westbrook

John was internationally recognized for his pioneering work in strengthening the quality and usefulness of disability research. Over his 33 years at SEDL, an Austin-based nonprofit educational research and development organization, he built the Disability Research to Practice unit from an afterthought to one of the organization's most prestigious areas of work. He won numerous national and regional awards; served on the advisory boards of disability-focused projects at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, Rutgers University, University of Pennsylvania, The Institute for Rehabilitation Research, and elsewhere; and had ongoing leadership roles in the National Association of Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (now NARRTC) and the international Campbell Collaboration.

John was born in Greenville, Alabama, to Nathan J. Westbrook, a postman and restless entrepreneur, and Lola Mae Miller Westbrook, a homemaker from whom John inherited his culinary skills and his love of Southern cooking. His family lived in Beaumont, Texas, for much of his childhood. In 1963, Nathan bought the Cloud 9 Motel in Hallettsville; John tended the motel swimming pool, and in 1967 graduated from Hallettsville High School. He enrolled in the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned his Bachelors and Masters degrees in speech and special education and a PhD in special education administration. He began his career teaching multi-handicapped deaf children on the old East Campus of the Texas School for the Deaf. He also worked at the Texas Education Agency and the (then) Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation before joining SEDL in 1982. When SEDL merged with the American Institutes for Research in 2015, John became a managing researcher in AIR's Disability and Rehabilitation Practice Area.

John was a generous, kind-hearted man. During their marriage, he and his wife served as foster parents. He was a mentor to many who worked for and with him. He gave money generously and quietly. For 16 years he looked after his elderly father, finding a home they could share comfortably, with a back yard hospitable to the deer Nathan loved to watch and feed, and playing many a game of straight dominoes with his father.

John loved gardening, particularly tropical flowers. As his illness progressed he worried about the fate of his ponytail palms and his more than 150 plumeria plants until his friend Joan managed to find homes for them. (She also generously adopted his beloved cat, Rosie.) He also loved to travel. In recent years his work often took him to northern Europe, but his favorite destination was Hawaii. On one of his last trips he found a little-known botanical park that is home to the world's greatest variety of plumeria. He had to search high and low for a cab driver who could find the place; the driver was so intrigued by John's interest that he chose to tour the park with him.

John was preceded in death by his parents, his older brother Don, and several dear friends. He is survived by two nieces, Laura R Westbrook of New Orleans and Diane J Westbrook of Colorado Springs; his former wife and friend of the heart, Martha Boethel; and a circle of close friends and colleagues who miss his razor wit, his intelligence, and his resilient spirit. His family and friends were privileged to support him through his lengthy illness and to witness the dignity, determination, and humor with which he faced every grim challenge. They are particularly thankful to Dr. Gary Werntz; Dr. Jeffrey Yorio; the staff of Hospice Austin, especially nurse Sarah; and his caregivers Rebecca and Terrence.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 11 a.m., at Weed-Corley-Fish North. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the charity of your choice.