Sherman W. Tribbitt

MILFORD - Sherman W. Tribbitt, 87, Delaware's 72nd Governor, from 1973-1977, died Saturday, August 14, 2010, in Delaware Hospice Center, Milford. Born in Easton, Md., Nov. 9, 1922, Governor Tribbitt grew up in Denton. He graduated from Wilmington's Beacom College in 1941 and joined the U.S. Navy in 1942. He met the love of his life, Jeanne Webb of Odessa, on a blind date and they married on July 24, 1943. Tribbitt was elected to the House of Representatives in 1956 and re-elected in 1958, 1960, 1962, being named Speaker each time. In 1964 he was elected Lieutenant-Governor. After losing his bid for re-election in 1968, he was elected in 1970 to the House of Representatives, then in 1972 ran for governor and won, serving until January, 1977. Along with Governor Tribbitt's many accomplishments, he was also a mason of the 33rd degree. He is survived by his wife, Jeanne; his sons, James and wife, Sharon and Sherman and wife, Wendy; his daughter, Carole Suchanek and husband, Phil; his sister, Elizabeth and husband, Charles Willis; his brother-in-law, E. Sherman Webb, Jr. and wife, Kate. Governor Tribbitt is also survived by grandchildren, Lisa Clarke and husband, Jay, Ashley Diehl and husband, Jeremy, MacKenzie Tribbitt and Ria Tribbitt, as well as five great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 21, at Odessa Volunteer Fire Company, 304 Main St., Odessa, where family and friends may visit Friday evening, Aug. 20, from 6 to 9 p.m., with Masonic services beginning at 7 p.m. Interment will be held privately. Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Delaware Valley Chapter, 399 Market St., Suite 102, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Arrangements by Daniels & Hutchison Funeral Home LLC, Middletown. Online condolences may be sent to www.daniels-hutchison.com, 302-378-3410.