Robert Powers Gibbs
Robert Powers Gibbs, 84 of Tipton and formerly of Rochester, New York and Cincinnati died at 5:10 p.m. on Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at Riverview Health in Noblesville. Robert was born on December 20, 1933 in Rochester, New York to Paul Otto Gibbs and Dorothy (Powers) Gibbs Figaro. He married Paula Ruth McNew on June 27, 2003 and she survives.
Robert was a commercial pilot and had worked at Universal Blower Pac, retiring in 2005. He was a flight instructor at Indianapolis Executive Airport until he retired in 2018. Robert was a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) and the Civil Air Patrol (CAP).
Robert had received the FAA Wright Brothers Award for over 50 years of flying with no accident or infractions. Woodworking, gardening, vintage airplanes and antique autos were some of his passions. He served in the US Air Force during the Korean War.
Survivors besides his wife Paula include one son, Jeffery Gibbs and one daughter, Lori White and husband Bill, Indianapolis; two grandsons, Kirby White and Jake White; one great-granddaughter, Teagan White.
A memorial service for Robert will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 21 at the Indianapolis Executive Airport, 11329 E. State Road 32, Zionsville, Indiana, 46077. Robert’s family will greet friends from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday. Private family burial will be in Brookside Cemetery, Windfall with military honors. Young-Nichols Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Memorial donations in Robert’s honor may be to The Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 1903, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, 45433, or Indy Honor Flight, P.O. Box 10, Plainfield, Indiana, 46168.
You have finally earned your wings..I know you are soaring high above the clouds and still fulfilling your love for flying……still remember my first plane ride with you as the pilot…..rest in peace Cuz…..love Karen and family
Nav I will miss you thank you for your friendship.
I love you dad I am here in Noblesville I haven’t talk to you in five days I’ve talk to you almost every day ever since I can remember I love you and miss you so much it is so lonely without you we talked about the good times the bad times and everything else that’s happening in our lives now that you’re gone I really don’t have anyone to talk to.. you’re walking with God now no pain No worries . My heart is full of sorrow I miss you so much but I know in time God will Heal my heart and take away the pain I love you and miss you dad
Fly high Bob with those new wings. You have more than earned them.
Soar with the Eagles Bob. I can remember you and your wife at the Indy Squadron CAP meetings. I thank you for letting me work and marshall the planes at the Indy Air Shows.
You always had a smile on your face.