Chautauqua Obituary

From the Chautauquan, Fall 2005
Richard H. Gibbons, 86, of Kendallville, Ind., formerly of Penfield, N.Y., died on April 13, 2005, in Kendallville.
Mr. Gibbons was born on Sept. 12, 1918, in Buffalo to Oliphant and Mabel (Lowry) Gibbons. He married Martha Vaughan of Buffalo on April 1, 1942. She preceded him in death on Oct. 22, 1988. He married Hilda (Cox) Hanes in Boynton Beach, Fla., on March 1, 1991. She survives in Kendallville.
Mr. Gibbons was a fifth generation Chautauquan. He spent part of each summer in Chautauqua from 1919-1941. He held several jobs at Chautauqua during his childhood years. He carried people's luggage to and from the main gate, he sold The Chautauquan Daily, and he volunteered at the Tennis Club in order to play when there was an empty court.
He graduated from Buffalo State Teachers College with a bachelor of science degree in education in 1940 and from Syracuse University with a master of science degree in education in 1941. He served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps from 1942-1945, serving in Europe from 1943 to 1945. During World War II he was unable to visit Chautauqua, but when he returned from overseas he again spent part of each summer in Chautauqua from 1946 until he became ill in 1998.
Mr. Gibbons was an educator, primarily teaching social studies in secondary schools. While serving as chairman of the Penfield High School Social Studies Department, he helped develop the American history curriculum for New York State. Prior to Penfield High School, he also taught at high schools in Buffalo, Groveland, N.Y., and Livonia, N.Y. He retired from education in 1974.
After his retirement from teaching, Mr. Gibbons worked summers as the night manager of the St. Elmo Hotel. He held that job from 1974-1979.
Surviving in addition to his wife are two sons and daughters-in-law, Richard and Lexie Gibbons of Sylmar, Calif., and David and Marty Gibbons of Columbia, Mo.; a daughter and son-in-law, Karen and David Davenport of Rochester, N.Y.; a sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Jim Lake of Tucson, Ariz.; 7 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren.