Richard Leslie "Dick" Gibbs
Obituaries
Steamboat Today - February 21, 2017
Richard Leslie Gibbs
Stagecoach
Richard Leslie Gibbs
March 20, 1927 – February 11, 2017
Dick left this world on February 11, 2017. He leaves his wife, Joan, daughters Lizzy of Steamboat Springs, Lesley of Middlebury, Vermont, son Jonathan of Oak Creek, and son-in-law Prem Prekash; four grandchildren, Mayana, Nylem Orion and Jahnu and nephew Alan Harland and his wife Jeanne from Lafayette, Illinois.
Dick was born in Lafayette, Illinois on the family farm. He attended Lafayette High School, and after graduation served in WWII. After the war, he entered the University of Illinois earning a Bachelors degree in Journalism, and in 1950 was awarded his Masters in English. Upon graduation from U of I, Dick and his collage friend, Jim Dowler, became the owners of The Adams County Republic. Dick scooped all the news that was fit to print, while Jim operated the printing press in the backroom. Dick fell in love with Colorado while being a newsman and decided to stay. He loved skiing at Berthoud Pass and Steamboat Ski Area.
After working in advertising for several years in Denver, he was transferred to New York City. It was there where he met his soon-to-be business partner, Dick Soell. They formed Gibbs & Soell, Public Relations, and set up an office on Madison Avenue. When Dick retired, he sold his P.R. firm to his employees, it is still in existence in New York City with offices scattered throughout the United States and Europe.
Dick enjoyed skiing, so in spite of being a New York City executive, he became a weekend ski instructor at Catamount Ski Area in Hillsdale, New York. Every weekend, he, Joan and the children would leave on Friday night to drive to Catamount Ski Area.
When Dick and Joan were first married, they lived in Mt. Kisco, New York for five years; it was there, where their children were born. They then moved to Westport, Connecticut where they lived for 23 years. When Dick retired he longed again for Colorado. Joan and Dick moved to Routt County in 1995. Being a “farm boy” from Illinois, he bought the Henderson Ranch near Stagecoach State Park with the desire to get back to the land. He raised Hereford and Angus cattle. His son, Jon, continues to operate the Bar GS Ranch in Oak Creek, CO.
Dick loved football, especially the Broncos. He was an avid athlete, enjoying basketball, tennis, and skiing.
In lieu of flowers, please remember Dick as being as being a giant of a man, a fair man, and a kind man. He was stricken with Alzheimer’s disease, but he retained the twinkle in his blue eyes.
