Gibbs, Charles Joseph

Charles Joseph “Chuck” Gibbs, 87, of Galesburg, passed away on February 17 at Galesburg Cottage Hospital.

Mr. Gibbs was born on August 17, 1926 in Chicago, the son of Milo Joseph and Myrtle Seiffert Gibbs.  On September 10, 1948 he married Mary Bryan Runyon in Carthage, Illinois.  He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert Milo Gibbs and sisters Ruby Gibbs Simms and Margaret Gibbs Painter.

In addition to his beloved wife of 65 years, Mr. Gibbs is survived by daughter Carolyn Augustson of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, son Charles R. Gibbs and his wife Harriett W. Gibbs of Dallas, Texas, along with five grandsons:  Adam Augustson of New York City, David Augustson of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Charles R. Gibbs, Jr. of Chicago, Illinois, Davis Gibbs and Bradford Gibbs, both of Dallas, Texas.

Mr. Gibbs graduated from Galesburg High School in 1944 and thereafter served in the U.S. Army Air Corp. during World War II.  Upon discharge from the service he enrolled in Knox College, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1950.

Mr. Gibbs developed an early interest in computers and data processing and worked as a programmer and systems analyst for over 15 years for Butler Manufacturing Company and the Gale Products Division of Outboard Marine Corporation.  In 1966, he joined Knox College as Director of Data Processing, a position he held until his retirement in 1990.

An exceptional athlete, Mr. Gibbs was inducted into both the Galesburg High School and Knox-Lombard Athletic Halls of Fame for his prowess on the basketball court and baseball field.  He was an avid golfer his entire adult life, having competed in the Illinois State Senior Amateur and the National Father-Son Invitational Golf Tournament.

Mr. Gibbs was an active and committed member of the Galesburg community and a loyal alumnus of Knox.  He received the Knox College Alumni Association Service Award in 2004 and the Knox College 50 Year Club Scroll of Honor in 2002.  In 2006, along with his wife, Mr. Gibbs was presented with the Thomas B. Herring Award by the Galesburg Chamber of Commerce for Outstanding Community Service.  He was a dedicated supporter of the Galesburg Community Chorus for over 30 years, serving several terms as its President, Treasurer and Manager.  Mr. Gibbs was a founder and original board member of both the Galesburg Little League and Galesburg Pioneer baseball team.  For 25 years Mr. Gibbs served as an Election Commissioner for the City of Galesburg, where he was instrumental in the implementation of numerous improvements in voting procedures and systems for the citizens of Galesburg.  He was an active member of First Presbyterian Church for over 60 years, where he served the congregation as a deacon, elder and trustee.

A devoted husband, a loving and proud father and grandfather, and a committed community servant, he was loved and respected by many and will be greatly missed.  Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 22, 2014 at First Presbyterian Church, Galesburg.  Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2014 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel with a private burial at Memorial Park Cemetery.  Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church and Knox College Alumni Hall Restoration Project.

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