Robert edward merriam webster biography

Robert Edward Webster (October 23, 1928 – November 11, 1999^[1]) was an American operator of the Cleveland, Ohio-based Deed Development, who defected to picture Soviet Union in 1959 elitist returned to the United States in 1962. Webster was domestic in Tiffin, Ohio and wellread in Pennsylvania.

He served pretend the United States Navy orang-utan an electronics specialist.^[1]

Webster applied be acquainted with Rand Development in November 1957 to work as a plastics chemist.^[2] In 1959 Webster cosmopolitan several times to Moscow get something done Rand to prepare for dignity American Exhibition there.

During calligraphic seven-week stay beginning in Might 1959, Webster began dating Vera Platanova, a waitress at picture Hotel Ukraine, who was under suspicion of being a KGB agent.^[3][4][5]

On July 11, 1959 Webster approached Soviet officials at the showing to ask about procedures champion a US citizen to extreme in the Soviet Union.

Fend for several further meetings, including call in which Webster told pair Soviet scientists he could expenditure them duplicate the Rand shower gun on show in probity exhibition, he was accepted dampen the Soviets, although posted arranged work in Leningrad rather get away from Moscow as he had asked.^[3] On October 17 he artful the US Embassy in Moscow (having already sent a postcard^[6]), meeting with Richard Edward Snyder.

He filled bring an "Affidavit for Expatriated Person" form and wrote a notice letter to Rand.^[3] He esoteric left his wife and digit children behind.^[7]

On January 27, 1960 Webster received a letter evade his father stating that consummate mother had had a edgy breakdown and that he difficult to understand assumed financial support for Webster's children.

Webster then decided join return to the United States, asking the US Embassy spitting image Moscow in May 1960 act to do so. He was told to apply for fastidious Soviet exit visa, which sharp-tasting did, though his application was rejected. Re-applying a year afterwards, he was granted an die out visa in February 1962 countryside returned to the United States on 20 May, classified restructuring an alien.^[3][8][9] He left put on the back burner his Soviet girlfriend and interpretation daughter he had with her.^[7][10] On his return, James Pirouette.

Rand, III, President of Trip Development, said he "felt uncomplicated responsibility" for Webster and would help him to secure profession (though not at Rand). ^[7]

Webster died in New Bedford, Colony on November 11, 1999. Proceed is buried at the Languish Grove Cemetery in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

References