John Francisco Tibbs

John Francisco Tibbs died Friday, Aug. 7, 2015, from natural causes after many years of poor health. He is now at peace and free of pain. John was born in Pacific Grove, California, on Oct. 12, 1938, son of Jack and Alice Tibbs. Describing his early years as idyllic, his main delight was to explore the tide pools filled with myriad marine animals. Undoubtedly this ignited his love of biology, a passion he followed throughout his life. His family later move to Fresno, California, where he spent many happy hours collecting pond water and maintaining the protist cultures in jars in his parents' garage, much to his mother's dismay.

Upon graduation from high school, he attended Fresno State University earning a degree in biology. He then had the good fortune to have a professor who steered him toward the marine biology program at the University of Southern California. He was selected to participate as a biologist on the Arctic Research Lab Ice Station 1. ARLIS I was established by the U.S. Navy on a floating island of ice, which flowed along with the current in the Arctic Ocean. Later at USC, John was chief of the marine zoology team USNS ELTANIN for three Antarctic cruises. This research led to his Ph.D. degree studying the Radiolarian protozoa.

In 1966 he married Sally Keller, also a graduate student at USC. In 1968 they moved to Montana after he accepted a post in zoology at the University of Montana. In 1970 John became the director of the Flathead Lake Biological Station where, in addition to his university duties, he worked along with local organizations to clean up point source pollution in the lake. He was instrumental in obtaining a grant for the new research facility built at the station. Later he became chairman of the biology department at UM.

John, as an admirer of Japanese culture, realized one of his dreams during his later years at the university by participating in a faculty exchange program with Kumamoto University in Japan. Poor health dictated he take early retirement from the university, and he was awarded professor emeritus status.

John and Sally have two daughters, Amy Tibbs (Ted Herzog) and grandsons, Adam and Joel of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Clare Brightman (Aaron Brightman) and granddaughters Camille and Petra of Aptos, California. Preceding John in death were his parents and one sister, Janet Neufer, all from California. He has one living sister, Maryann Carpenter from Oxnard, California.

We will remember John for his great wit, intelligence, love of classical music, kindness, and love for friends and family. A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, Aug. 15, at 11 a.m. at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Donations in John's memory may be sent to the University of Montana Biological Station, Missoula Symphony Association, or the radio station KUFM.
Read John Tibbs's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.