Dr. Richard Gibb, 1983

Officially the University of Idaho’s 18th president, Dr. Richard Gibb was president from 1977 to 1989. Gibb was a well-liked president, both on campus and in the state, and would always take time to talk with students. He was born and raised on a farm in rural Illinois and received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Illinois, in vocational agriculture and education, respectively. He then went on to the Michigan State University to receive a doctor of philosophy in agricultural economics. Gibb was an avid gardener, and in his spare time could be seen puttering in his extensive gardens at the UI Presidential home. According to the 1983 Gem of the Mountains, Gibb proclaims himself to be “the best gardener in Latah County." Sadly, President Gibb passed away in 1994, at the age of 65, loosing his battle with liver cancer.