Robert Gibbs

Robert Gerald Gibbs -- July 11, 1980 - April 1, 2025 Rochester, New York--Our loved one, Robert Gerald Gibbs, better known to his family and friends as Bob or Bobby, passed away unexpectedly in the early morning hours of April 1st, 2025. Bobby was born on a Friday at 1:21 PM, July 11th, 1980 in Clarksville, Tennessee, the youngest child of Julia and David Gibbs. Many knew Bob through the lens of the struggles he battled for years. That wasn't the real Bob though, and those fortunate enough to truly know him immediately recognized him as caring, quick to lend a helping hand, funny and talented. He seemed to be born with his quirky, sideways smile and easy laugh. He will be remembered for his laughter and the enjoyment he got out of making others laugh as he told stories and jokes as only he could, especially when he included impressions of family members or re-told adventures from his childhood with his partners in mischief, twins David and Louanne. Bob was a talented craftsman who made his career in construction. No one could walk a ladder like Bob. He could climb and descend frontwards and backwards as though it were the easiest of stairs and walk a roofline as though it was level ground, a talent he perfected as a child when he would often sneak up to the roof and run around before he was caught once again. He loved nature, taking long walks, collecting rocks and other oddities along his path. Bob is survived by his wife, Jessica Samluk Gibbs, their children Ryce and Saraya, and step-children Skye and Sophia; his older children Michelle Gibbs, Nicholas Gibbs, and Ryan Gibbs; his mother Julia Kallweit Gibbs; his father David William Gibbs (Kelley); his mother- and father-in-law Torie and Joe Samluk; his siblings Michael Scanlon (Kelly), Meredith Scanlon Willis (Richard), Rachel Scanlon Farrelly (Shane), Louanne Gibbs Montrois (Michael), David William Gibbs, Jr. (Victoria); his grandmother Barbara Gibbs (Gerald, deceased); several aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. Bob fought hard to keep the darkness of depression away as he struggled with addiction and mental health, but ultimately found peace after a long battle. We will never know what was in Bob's mind during his last night, but we have comfort in knowing that our Lord promised, "I will never leave you; I will never forsake you." So we rest in knowing that Bobby was not alone as he flew into the arms of God. His family asks that we use this painful time to start the conversation about addiction and the vibrant souls it too often burdens. A celebration of Bob's life will be held at a time in the future. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in the name of Robert Gerald Gibbs to addiction recovery groups, suicide prevention groups, or the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI).