Robert Alexander Gibson Jr. of Kent CT, died Friday, March 11, 2016 at Yale New Haven hospital after a brief illness and after an eight-year battle with lymphoma.
Bob “Hoot” Gibson is survived by his wife of 47 years, Sabine, of Kent; son Ryan and his wife Sally; son Neil and his wife Colleen; four grandchildren Luke, Sawyer, Maggie and Amelia, all of Portland Ore; his brother John and wife Tina and their children and family; and sister in law Denise and husband Michal Thomas of Portsmouth, RI. He was predeceased by his youngest brother Larry in 2004, and his parents.
Bob was born in Newport, RI in 1938, first son of Robert and Mildred Gibson. He was a standout high school basketball player and won a scholarship to Providence College. There he, along with teammate and future NBA Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkens, helped lead Providence to the NIT final in 1960.
Having grown up sailing at the Ida Lewis Yacht Club in Newport, after college Bob crewed on several international races, including a five-month, trans-Atlantic race to Italy, an adventure of a lifetime for a 22 year old. For much of the 1960s he worked at Derecktor Ship Yard in Mamaroneck, NY. He crewed on several 12 meter boats and raced in the America’s Cup, including on the “Weatherly” which won in 1962. Winters took him and his buddies skiing to his favorite mountain, Mad River Glen.
By 1967 he left the ocean and took to the air, embarking on a career as a pilot. He flew DC-8 and eventually 747 planes nationally and worldwide for Seaboard World, Flying Tigers and FedEx. His earliest flying jobs took him to small towns like Stowe VT, where he met his wife Sabine. They married in 1969 and with some detours made a home in Kent where they raised their two sons. Bob introduced them to camping and skiing, taking countless early drives to hockey practice, beach vacations, and trips to Europe to get to know their relatives. He exposed them to foreign cultures and languages and the curiosity to explore.
In Kent, Bob was an active early member of the Fire Department, and a founding member of the volunteer ambulance and Lions Club. He coached his sons and their friends in baseball, supported the fledgling tennis and ski teams at Housatonic Valley Regional High School.
During down time between flying he cofounded Baxter and Gibson Real Estate, which carried him and his family through many airline furloughs and provided countless young people with affordable housing in the town.
He retired in 2006 to enjoy his growing family in Oregon and being a good “Opa” to grandchildren Luke, Sawyer, Maggie and Amelia, and also enjoyed two of his passions: playing tennis at Kent School and his regular book club.
He was a thoughtful provider to his family with a generous spirit, strong work ethic, and a detail-oriented drive; a great mentor for his sons and grandchildren. We are saddened that his golden years were cut short; our loss is great. He will be missed by all who knew him.
A memorial service is planned for Saturday, April 23, 2016 at 11:00 am at St. Andrews Church in Kent. In lieu of flowers, Bob’s family asks that those interested in remembering Bob make a donation to the Kent Memorial Library or the Kent Volunteer Fire Department.
