Richard Gibbs Obituary

It's over a year now that we lost Dick .... such a sorow for the family, I know. I met Dick through the Rocky Mountain Section of the MAA. He was always so kind, so funny, so welcoming to everyone in the section. He did so much to recognize students in our region as well, and for the national AMC too .... and he is sorely missed in our math community. My condolences to Sandy and the entire family.

I knew Dick from grading AP Calculus tests together in the early 2000s. Dick and I shared a love of crossword puzzles. At that point in time, I was toying with the idea of trying my hand at constructing crosswords. I shared this dream with Dick. Well, shortly after that I was successful in that endeavor, so every time I had a puzzle published somewhere, I'd email a copy to Dick. Dick was always prompt and supportive in his replies to me (usually starting with the terse phrase "Good one"). That's why I became suspicious when I hadn't heard from Dick after my last three or four publications. Fearing the worst, I Googled his name along with "obit" and found out the sad news.

Even though I didn't know Dick well, I appreciated the time we spent together in Fort Collins grading AP exams. He was a kind, good-naturerd guy who seemed to have an interest in so many things. My heart goes out to his family.

I went to hs with Dick and we reconnected via an email I sent to our class about a jazz musician from Michigan and he replied. He and Sandy and I started getting together
for jazz fests from San Diego to Penticton, BC. He was so kind and funny, I never knew that he was so briliant until I read this obit! I am so happy that I knew this person and his wonderful wife and daughters with whom I will continue our friendship. He will be missed but remembering him will always bring a happy smile or chuckle to our faces.

Dick was my big brother (by 10 years) and I loved him very much. We had a sister, Sue, and she passed December 9, 2022.

Dick was very patient and calming. He loved his family very much. He was so kind to our mom as she got older. He and Sandy did so much to help with our mom.

My husband and I moved to Cave Creek, AZ in 2011 where Dick and Sandy´s daughter, Nancy, and her family lived. Dick and Sandy had a condo there for a few years so we were able to see them more often.

Dick will be missed by many. He had a good life filled with family, travel and a successful career.

Below is a picture of Dick, me, our mom and sister, Sue from late 90s I think.

Love,
Laurie

I realized very quickly how lucky I was to have transferred to Fort Lewis College in the early `80´s. I landed in the orbit of the Puzzle Guzzler master, a jazz tuba aficionado, and the most gifted classroom lecturer I have ever known. I found a mentor who allowed me to road trip with him to Albuquerque and Rapid City to attend math events. And I met the man I tried to emulate in my career, the man who demonstrated daily how much fun a math classroom could be, how rewarding struggle with a problem could be.

Thank you for all you gave. Yours was a remarkable life lived by an amazing, humble man. RIP, Dr. Gibbs. You will not be forgotten.

I knew Dr Gibbs growing up in the 70´s & 80´s in Durango, because I was friends with his daughter, Nancy. I remember his great sense of humor and how fun the whole family was (and is!). Later while attending Ft Lewis, I got to know him as a professor. He contributed so much knowledge and fun to the Durango community and Ft Lewis college. My deep condolences to the whole family.

Dr. Gibbs switched me on to Mathematics, and as my advisor at FLC, was by far the most influential and encouraging professor I have ever had. My condolences to his family, he was truly a great and gentle man.

I hold fond memories of Dr. Gibbs at Ft Lewis in the late 70's. Thank you for being the warm, kind person I remember. God bless you sir.

Dick was one of a kind. A great colleague at Fort Lewis. I audited one of his classes where the home work was a trip to Las Vegas. Dick truly loved doing this class and repeated it many times while teaching at FLC. After retirement we met up a couple of times in Arizona for lunch and to see what the other was doing. Truly an outstanding individual and instructors of his ilk where what made Fort Lewis so strong in the 'early Fort Lewis days'. RIP my friend.

Oh what a great pic (& t-shirt )!
That is sooo `your wonderful dad´ for sure
What a great obituary too!
And what a resume he had!! ......And a great life overall

Of course his kindness and humility would hide his amazing intellect and huge list of accomplishments
A VERY special man,indeed

In the early 70s, a few years after I arrived at FLC, I first became acquainted with Dick as I traveled with him to participate in a workshop for teachers in the Telluride area. When done, Dick said that he knew a shortcut home. He headed up Black Bear Pass. Not only was it my first experience 4-wheeling, but and we were caught in a bad snow storm. Regardless of the fright he gave me, we remained friends. RIP.

I remember Dick´s kindness and his humor. He and Reece were long term friends; we both enjoyed good times with Dick and his family. My condolences to Sandy and daughters.
Susan McGinness

Surely the most astute and formidable men I have ever met, I loved his humor. To know his family is to know his success, and to know what a remarkable, eclectic man he was.

God bless you and surround you with love at this difficult time. We remember Dick fondly from our time together at Fort Lewis. Bev and Reg Graham

A teacher, a mentor and a good friend for so many years for both of us. Sandy, sorry for your loss. His was a life well lived and will be always remembered.

I wish to convey my condolences to Dick´s wife, children, grandchildren, and entire family.
Professor Gibbs lived an exceptional life giving many students and teachers a practical use of mathematics for their everyday lives and activities. He developed lots of interesting classes and showed how mathematics played an important part of everything we do. He loved games and the math behind them he explained brilliantly. He was the best guy to ask for help in solving a puzzle or game. He was a favorite teacher for many in our town. I am a better person having known Dr. Gibbs. And the world is a better place because of his life and love.

Condolences to the Gibbs family. Dick was head of the Math Deptartment at FLC when I was in school there. Great guy and great department head.

You taught me mathmatics at Fort Lewis, I was a carpenter on your home in the Animas Valley, watched your children grow. You and your family have a lasting place in my heart ! Jeff Franklin

For donations in Dick´s name, please consider the Colorado Math Awards (coloradomathawards.org); the Fort Lewis College Foundation (foundation.fortlewis.edu); the LaPlata County Humane Society; or a charity of your choice.