ROBERT GIBSON

GIBSON--Robert C. Robert Castleman Gibson, 78, beloved husband, father and friend, died peacefully in Chicago on Friday, April 29, from complications of Alzheimer's disease. Robert is survived by his wife, Gail Skiles Conder; his children, Robert Castleman "Casey" Gibson, Jr. (Eileen), Lucas Marshall Gibson (Brooke), and Margaret Eleanor "Molly" Gibson. He is survived by a brother, Philip Hale Gibson (Sandra) and a sister, Sharon Ruddell Stavropoulos (James) and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. For the last few years, Robert's life was enhanced every day by his beloved caregiver, Cristina Tise. Robert was predeceased by his mother, Margaret Hal-vorsen Gibson; stepmother, Marie Ruddell Gibson; father, Marshall Douglas Gibson Jr. and brothers, Marshall Douglas Gibson III and Carter Cabell Gibson. Robert grew up in Chevy Chase, MD, and, as a child, spent his summers with his family on Cousins Island off the coast of Maine. He graduated with distinction from the University of Maryland with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and from Harvard Business School with an M.B.A. His career was diverse. His first job took him to Jamaica where he developed a flower farm and began exporting Anthurium to Europe and the United States. His last venture was manufacturing and selling hollow core rebar for road building and other infrastructure projects. In between, he was in the shipping business, the timber business, and the coal mining business, sequentially. All along the way, Robert forged enduring friendships. Robert loved being a father and considered his children his finest achievement. He is best remembered for his sparkling smile and twinkling blue eyes. He believed that one should laugh every day. His quick wit and prodigious memory for shaggy dog stories always provided laughs for loved ones, friends and acquaintances. At the end of his life, he was still making others smile. The family plans to have a memorial service in a few months. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association at alz.org or a charity of your choice.