Gareth L. BIBBINS 

Gareth L. Bibbins, scientist, engineer and poet who
embraced life with a curious mind died July 15, 2006
at the age of 83. Raised in Virginia, Minnesota he
attended college until joining the Navy in 1943.
Discharged in 1947, he ran a fire fighting crew for
the Division of Forestry in California where he was
introduced to Georgia, his future wife. A year later
he moved to Seattle and they were married, sharing
their mutual enjoyment of the outdoors by skiing and
as members of the Mountaineers. After majoring in
Metallurgy at the UW, he began his career with the
Norton Company in Massachusetts. Returning to
Washington in 1962 he became an engineer for Boeing,
working in Quality Control Research and Development
for New Business in space programs and other projects
until retirement in 1991. Gary's love of knowledge and
passion for research encompassed both his professional
and personal life; he enjoyed the challenge of finding
alternative solutions to any problem he encountered. A
metallurgist by profession and geologist by heart,
rocks and minerals fascinated him, whether found by
traipsing the hills, panning for gold, or in his
exquisite mineral collection. He combined rock
hounding with his love for the written word by serving
as Editor of the Bellevue Rock Club for 12 years.
Those that knew him will remember the glint in his eye
as he delighted in wordplay and terrible puns. His
humor and ability to turn any event into a poem
carried him through life and brought smiles to those
he met. Gary leaves behind Georgia, his wife of 58
years, daughter Joanne, son Bruce, daughter-in-law
Debbie, grandson Dylan, family and friends. A
gathering is planned August 13th to remember this
remarkable man. 

Published in print on 8/6/2006. 
Seattle TImes