Herman Kibble

Herman was born to Pastor Harvey W. Kibble, Sr. and Thelma L. (Winston) Kibble on July 16, 1931. In 1947, 15-year-old Herman graduated from Shiloh Academy in Chicago and after turning 16 began studying at Emmanuel Missionary College, now Andrews University. His freshman year, Herman won first place in an oratorical contest. He took this as a sign that he should enter the ministry like his father. Herman graduated with his bachelor's in 1952. He would later complete two master's degrees from the same university and a doctorate from the Pacific School of Religion in Berkley, California. He began interning at the Wadsworth Avenue Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church (now known as University Adventist Church) in Los Angeles then pastored the Ivy Avenue Adventist Church (now known as All Nations Adventist Church), in Monrovia, California.Herman married Marquita Hamilton. They had three children: Kevin, Kraig, and Kimberlee. In 1957, Herman was ordained and began pastoring in Long Beach, California. In 1964, he was transferred to Pasadena, California, where he led in building the Altadena SDA Church. In 1969, he began officer's training to become a U.S. Navy chaplain. He served in the Navy for 23 years in various duty stations including twice in Vietnam (once during the war, and once during the evacuation), the Persian Gulf, and Antarctica. He received many military awards including the Presidential Unit Citation (Navy), Vietnam Gallantry Cross (Civil Actions Medal), and the Philippine Presidential Unit Ribbon. While in Vietnam, he risked his life to have prayer services with service members in the Mekong Delta. This so impressed one of the young service members that he decided to become a Navy chaplain. Herman was the first Adventist to serve as head chaplain for an entire U.S. Navy Carrier Battle group. He shares the distinction of being the first Adventist chaplain to be promoted to rank 06 (second highest rank) in the military. When Barry Black began serving as a young navy chaplain, Herman became his mentor and was instrumental in his selection to be the first Adventist chaplain to rise to the rank of 07, rear admiral. In 1993, Herman became a chaplain at the Veterans Hospital in Loma Linda, California, for 20 years.Herman was preceded in death by his parents, Pastor Harvey, Sr. and Thelma Kibble, and three siblings: Pastor Harvey Kibble, Jr.; Marie Robinson; and Pastor Alvin Kibble. He is survived by his wife, Marquita; three children and their spouses, four grandchildren, and two siblings.