Frederick Leonard Gibson

F. Leonard Gibson, born on October 26. 1932 in Fresno, CA, passed away in Albany, OR, on December 17, 2024, at the age of 92. His parents were Marshall and Ethel Gibson (Casebolt) and Leonard was the first born of four children.
His early life was in rural California, moving often due to his father's surveying jobs. When he was ten, his family moved to San Francisco Bay Area where he graduated from Berkeley High School. He met his future wife, Nuleen Gayle Knight, at a Christian youth group program.
He continued his education at Whitworth College in Spokane. He joined the U.S. Coast Guard in Port Chicago, California. He and Nuleen married April 19, 1953.
Leonard finished his undergraduate college education in accounting at Golden Gate College. While attending Golden Gate, he had a full-time job at a local hospital and became the father of his first child, Marshall and Kevin Gibson.
The family moved to Chicago in 1957, where he attended Northwestern University, receiving an MS in Hospital Administration in 1959.
Returning to California, Leonard was the hospital administrator in Blythe, CA, where his son, Todd, was born. Later the family moved to Toledo, OR, and his first daughter, Laurie, was born.
Eventually the family moved to Corvallis where he became the Student Health Center administrator OSU. His last child, Jennifer, was born in Corvallis in 1967.
After leaving OSU, he went to Sutherland to operate a store before returning to Corvallis where he and his wife ran the FISH House, a temporary shelter for women and children.
Throughout his lifetime, he and his wife were active in their children's lives and in the community with church and family the main drivers of his life.
He instilled in his children the Golden Rule and respect for everyone. He is sorely missed.
Leonard is survived by a sister, three children, five grandchildren and one great grandchild.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in honor of Leonard to your favorite church or charitable organization.
Please share your thoughts and memories for the family at www.McHenryFuneralHome.com.