Lee Gillette Hibler

As the song goes, "He was a friend of mine." I loved him like a brother and was privileged to spend most of 1965-1966 traveling around the United States with him in an old red and white1955 Ford station wagon, stopping in Las Vegas and Denver to work a few weeks for gas and food money. We fished in lakes and rivers all over the US. We had a used aluminum rowboat that we carried on top of the car and an old travel trailer we towed. We took a lot of pictures and posed at every State line we crossed. It was a grand trip--I remember it as if yesterday and hold the memories dear. I got Lee interested in photography and he taught me the game of golf and was a great bird hunting partner. He would get so excited hearing and seeing a flock of geese or ducks overhead that to this day whenever I hear and see a formation flying above I think of him. He had a great family growing up and I got to know his family pretty well since I rented the small;"grandma" house on their property.
The last time I saw Lee, was in my law school library where he hunted me down for a surprise visit on his way to Portland.
I am way late in writing this, but when I heard of his passing I couldn´t bring myself to write anything.
Rest in Peace Old friend.

Dennie

Lee and I spent many a day in the rain hunting the slough in the valley, we also used to go to the orchard on the hill and eat pears and plumbs, built hay forts had Claud fights and harassed the cars leaving the drive in. We had the childhood that everyone should have. I´ll miss you old friend, keep the oars in the water and the lines tight. Love you buddy.

Lee , what a gentle person. I'm sure he is very proud of the beautiful family he leaves behind. Celebrate him, and lean on each other when you need to. Please know you are surrounded by so many who care about you and your loss.
Bev

A gentle and loving man who loved even our family. Lee was a great friend and a solid example of how a good man lives his life. And it shows in his wife Tricia, Kyle, and Meghan. Weve been extremely blessed by Lee and his family. May he have eternal rest.

So sad to hear of Lee's passing. I was a student of Lee's in what I think was his first year at North Salem HS 69/70. I was a sophomore in his beginning typing class and intro to accounting. He also got me my first job as a part-time receptionist as part of a work credit program in my junior and senior years. He was such a joy as a teacher. I happened to see him and Trish a few years ago at the restaurant at McNary golf course. He hadn't changed at all - seriously! Will always remember his quiet, generous support and sense of humor ❤
Nedra (Crocker) Oseth

The Clem family kids benefit from Lee's strong and gentle approach in helping them work through tough teen age issues. A good solid friend and a wonderful example for thousands of students. None better than Lee, whom we loved. Lee and Trish raised a perfect son-in-law and 2 beautiful grand-daughters Elsa and Isla. Lee thank- you for a great Dad, Counselor, and friend. Rest-in-peace :))

Our family moved to Old Arcata Rd in 1958 and we lived between the 3 Hibler boyss and the 3 Castle boys.
Lee had that ready smile and friendly way that made him a favorite with everyone.He was special
Bonnie Freemantle Taylor

Dear Ross, Gary and the Hibler Family:

I Remember Lee well from high school when we were both on the Eureka High Track Team. I may have known him earlier but that was a long time ago.

His mother was my elementary school teacher just after Lee was born.

He was always a friendly guy. Later at Humboldt State we saw each other often and he was still always a friendly guy. His family has my condolences.

We get old and don't see people we once knew well.

Trish and Family,
Lee had a wonderful life and we are all sorry it was cut all too short. I wanted you to know that you all have been in my thoughts. I always enjoyed seeing both of you and your smiling faces.
Take care,
Ken

Gary & Ross, I'm so very sorry to see this. It's been a long time, but in the picture, I think Lee looks like your dad. So many wonderful memories of Freshwater School and the Boy Scouts, Camp Tish Tang and the Marble Mountains. Lee will be with you forever. Peace be with you, guys. God Bless. Mike McCrea.

I was so sorry to read of the passing of Lee. I was a classmate and friend of his in Eureka. I will always remember the good times we had togeather. May Lee Rest in Pease.

To Ross and Gary and your families and Lee's family, my brother Mike and I were so saddened to hear about Lee's passing. The three of you were practically the first kids we met when we moved to Freshwater in 1953, and you all were our best friends until we all went away to college. We remember all the great times we had during all those years, and we offer our deepest condolences and prayers to you all.

Aloha, sending love and light to the family.
I have fond memories at Fred and Lynette home splashing in the pool with all the cousins. Lee always had a smile and joking with the kids.

Ke Akua pu kakou
God Bless you all

Aloha, sending love and light to the family. I have fond memories at Fred and Lynette place on Fickle Hill splashing around the pool with all the cousins. Those were the good old days. Lee was always smiling and joking with the kids.

Ke Akua pu kakou
God Bless you all

Safe passage, Leebug. Tim Warlick

So sad to open the paper and see Lee had passed! I was a good friend of his when he lived in Arcata! R.I.P. Lee! Jo Ann Jackson (Rossen)

I'll never forget going out behind your house in the pouring rain , shading around behind the dikes and through the draining ditches chasing ducks , also in summer getting pears and plumbs in the orchard in the hill,great childhood, RIP old friend! And don't let me forget the walk to Freshwater school, who is lucky enough to have those memories?

I am so sorry, Gary and Janie, for Lee's suffering and passing.

What great memories of Tokyo. Lee lifeguarded at the Tokyo American Club and participated enthusiastically in club activities. Loved and enjoyed by the Japanese. I remember him teaching the meaning of the word sneaky to his fellow Japanese lifeguards.
Regular trips to the camera store, photo trips to the Ginza. We were housemates. It was the best of times. Sayonara