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Edwin Gibson Obituary
Edwin Arthur Gibson
86, died in Danville, Indiana on Sunday, November 20, 2011. Born June 2, 1925, in Cumberland, Maryland, as a youth he moved to Indianapolis. Ed graduated in the top five percent of his class from the University of Illinois where he received Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Architectural Engineering. Ed enjoyed a long career as an Architect. His first job as an architect was in Ft. Wayne, Indiana until he returned to Indianapolis in the mid-40s. He was the first African-American architect to be registered in the state of Indiana, to be appointed to an Indiana State Government position and to open his own architectural firm in the state of Indiana.
The family of Ed and Mary E. Gibson (deceased) include his sons, Edwin A. Gibson, Jr. (deceased), and Gary A. Gibson; his daughter Eve. M Williams; and five grandsons, Edwin A. Gibson, Elliott A. Gibson, Jason P. Gibson, Delford G. Williams IV, and Brenton P. Williams. He is also survived by his daughter-in law, Elizabeth Booth-Gibson, and two step granddaughters, Laura E. Hanley and Melinda L. Hanley.
Memorial Services will be held on Saturday November 26, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. in the Crown Hill Memorial Chapel with calling from 10:30 A.M.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Edwin Gibson
4 Entries
Jason Veeck
September 29, 2024
This man was the only living grandfather I ever had. He helped me build and design a wooden car when I was a child. I also have some of his possessions that he gave me shortly before he passed. He was a great man. I wish I would have had more time to be with him. Love you grandpa.
Olon F. Dotson, Ph.D.
November 23, 2022
R.I.H. Trailblazer
Louis Berry
November 26, 2011
Deep condolences to the Gibson family over the loss of Edwin Gibson.I have known Edwin since I was 17 years old and have had tremendous admiration for him through the years. He has been a tremendous inspiration to me as I have gone through life's hurdles. May he rest with God in peace.
From the Berry family
Olon Dotson
November 25, 2011
It should be noted that Mr. Gibson recently volunteered to be interviewed by then, graduate student (now - graduate architect), Brittany Rasdall. The interview was recorded with the assistance and support of Ball State University. During the filming, Mr. Gibson discussed how he was inspired by the late architect Paul Williams. He had the opportunity to meet Mr. Williams prior to attending architecture school at the University of Illinois. As Paul Williams encouraged Edwin Gibson to pursue architecture, Mr. Gibson later (and unknowingly) inspired a young high school student, Robert LaRue when Gibson's his mother, at administrator at the institutionally segregated Crispus Attucks High School, instructed him to present his student work from U of I to a group of eager high school students. Mr. LaRue stated that, "...if he could do it, I was confident that I could do it!" So, like Mr. Gibson, Mr. LaRue attended the University of Illinois and later became licensed in 1958. It should also be noted that much of Mr. Gibson's work is stored and protected at the Ball State University, College of Architecture and Planning, Drawings + Documents Archives.
Within the last few years, the Indiana architectural community has lost African American Architects Horace Cantrell, Wendell Campbell, Clyde Woods, Walter Blackburn, David Snyder, and now the first, Edwin Gibson. Mr. Gibson became licensed to practice architecture in Indiana in 1946.
Olon F. Dotson, Associate Professor
Ball State University
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