Honorable Benjamin F. Gibson

I am sorry to hear of Judge Gibson's passing, and I extend my sincere sympathies to the family. I was a law clerk to Judge Gibson in 1984-85. Judge Gibson was everything a judge should be--he had integrity, intellect and was hard working. He was a kind and caring man and took his responsibility as a judge most seriously. if you appeared before him, you can be sure he was there to pay attention to your cause and to render justice. In my thirty years of law practice after clerking, I never...

Please accept my most sincere condolences to your family. For the brief times that I spoke with Mr. Gibson - the last time many years ago, he was always kind. I saw him as an inspiration and a source of pride. I recall how spoke of having "tolerance" and of the foibles of others when he and his family were the first blacks to integrate the White Hill neighborhood of East Lansing.

the Razafitsoma family extend their sincere condolences to you. He deserves respect and honor with all he accomplished during his lifetime, he truly is a Great Man and you can be proud to have him in your life. One of his grandsons John whom we know is very affected by the loss of his beloved grandfather and we are with him wholeheartedly. We wish you very good luck and ask you to keep only the beautiful things that he has done in this world and especially that he rests in peace with our...

I was involved in one of Judge Gibson's first District Ct. trials. It was a complicated securities matter which he handled with great skill, but even more, during that trial he demonstrated an even hand, great patience and was kind to all of the attorneys, including me in one of my first trials. I've never forgotten his calm demeanor and great wit. I saw it many times over the years. A lawyers' Judge. My condolences to all of his family and he will be long remembered.

I know that his family and everyone reading this realizes this truth but especially in today’s setting, it is worth noting and celebrating the fact that Judge Gibson personified a gentle person jurist. His memory will always be a blessing.

I had the highest respect for Judge Gibson and it was a pleasure to handle cases before him. He was evenhanded and fair. I had many clients who refused to file an appeal of their convictions because " I was treated fairly" and there is nothing to appeal! That has never happened to me, before or after. He made a huge contribution to Grand Rapids and the Western District of Michigan.
Larry Willey

Thank you for sharing so much about judge Gibson’s inspiring history. I had the honor of working across the hall from him for four years, as a law clerk fo Judge Hillmanrichard, who was appointed at approximately the same time. During those years, I had nothing but gracious interactions with him, and I heard only positive things from those who appeared before him. We were fortunate to have him. My sincerest condolences.

What a legacy! I'm inspired by his personal history, and can only imagine some of the challenges he met. My heartfelt condolences to his family.

Judge Gibson personified “judicial temperament”. He was unfailingly calm, respectful of attorneys and litigants and kind. As an Article 3 judge myself, I wish I could say the same. The judge was also always well prepared and let lawyers try their cases without unnecessary judicial interference. An excellent role model.