E
ric Sean Webber was born on September 23, 1964, in the warm, humid landscape of Bowie, Maryland, a small city located just twenty miles from the hustle and bustle of Washington, D.C. Many of his neighbors were families like his, with fathers commuting to D.C. for work while mothers nurtured their homes. Bouquets of blizzards could transform the winters, while summers brought forth heat that enveloped the community.
Eric was the eldest child of Rachel and Thomas Frederick Webber, reveling alongside his siblings: Cassie, Chris, and the youngest, Michael. This Roman Catholic family, whose roots entwined both Italian and Dutch-English heritage, was generously blessed with a rich tapestry of ancestry. Eric loved to tell the story of his grandfather, Charles Oran Webber, who joined the Navy at just seventeen, lying to enlist. It was a twist of fate that led him to Bermuda, where he met Gwenyth Tite, who became a cherished part of the family legacy—her own family once featured a member knighted by the Queen.
In their suburban abode, a modest single-family home with four bedrooms and an apple tree in the backyard, Eric thrived. Exploring Whitemarsh Woods ignited his adventurous spirit, as did the family traditions he cherished—grocery shopping with his mother and the fond memory of bath time, delighting in the water cascading over his head. Known for his exuberant chatter, all of Eric's report cards noted he was a bright, sweet child who "talked too much." That enthusiasm extended to his inquisitive nature, which drove him to build his own go-kart at the age of fourteen, a feat he accomplished through savings earned from delivering newspapers.
Academically gifted, Eric excelled in physics and chemistry, earning the title of Physics Student of the Year. He was an active participant in his school's athletic programs, flourishing in track and field, where he pushed through excruciating half-mile races, and brought home accolades as a competitor. His brilliance shone even brighter when he won the first rocketry competition sponsored by NASA in Maryland at sixteen and represented the state in the science competition in Boston. His passion for engineering blossomed early on, fueled by an insatiable fascination with robotics—elements that would eventually pave the way for “Team Infinity,” a venture he envisioned that would revolutionize automation and liberate humanity from drudgery.
Eric's childhood was also marked by the cultural influence of rock 'n' roll, particularly the sounds of bands like The Cars and Rush. The moment he heard "Moving in Stereo" for the first time in his bedroom echoed through his life, much like the enthusiasm he spread as he attached cameras to model rockets to capture snapshots of his neighborhood from above.
Regrettably, his childhood was not without its challenges. He often felt out of place, facing ostracism in sports and severe scrutiny from his parents. Yet, his academic pursuits offered sanctuary; his dedication and brilliance forged a path to resilience, propelling him through hardship.
Never one to lose sight of his dreams, Eric's admiration for his father—a brilliant computer scientist—spurred him onward. Firm in the belief that he could make a difference in the world, he held onto the conviction that his ventures would lead to a better future, inspiring others along the way.
Eric Sean Webber's early life was a blending of love and struggle, dreams and challenges, dreams destined to shape the extraordinary man he would become.