Robert E. Gibson

Robert E. Gibson, age 80, a lifelong Erie resident, died Thursday May 13, 2010 as the result of complications from Alzheimer's Disease. He passed away at the Pennsylvania Soldiers and Sailors Home in Erie, where he was cared for with compassion and dignity. Born July 12, 1929 in Erie, he was the son of the late Robert E. and Virginia Saxer Gibson. Robert attended Academy and Cathedral Preparatory Schools, graduating in 1947. He then continued his education by attending Bright's School of Floral Design and Gannon University. From 1954 until his retirement, he was primarily self-employed as an accountant in practice with his father. Robert also served as business manager at St. Peter's Cathedral Center School and worked as a realtor in the Erie area. Robert served in the United States Naval Reserves, was a member of the Perry-Keystone Masonic Lodge 392, and was affiliated with First Alliance Church as well as Summit United Methodist Church. He enjoyed many activities during his lifetime, including hunting trips out West, fishing trips to Canada, spending time at Findley Lake, and boating on Lake Erie. A colorful character famous for cracking jokes and turning phrases, Robert loved humor. Following the onset of his illness, his family collected his best known sayings into an entire book filled with pages and pages of laughs. Above all, Robert was a loving husband and dedicated father and grandfather who will be sadly missed. Robert is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of 58 years, Donna Dunbar Gibson. He is further survived by four children: Terri Heitzenrater and her husband Larry of Punta Gorda, Fla., Peter Gibson and his wife Elaine of Waterford, Robert Gibson and his wife Christine of Salisbury, Md. and David Gibson and his wife Bethany of Erie. Robert is survived by 21 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Friends may call at the Van Matre Funeral Home of Waterford, 105 Walnut Street, on Sunday from 2 -5:00 and 7 - 9:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held there on Monday morning at 11:00 a.m. Memorials may be made to the First Alliance Church Missions Fund, 2939 Zimmerly Road, Erie PA 16506 or to the Erie City Mission, PO Box 407, Erie PA 16512. Condolences may be sent to www.vanmatrefuneralhome.com.