ROBERT HIBBARD Obituary

ROBERT HIBBARD
November 22, 1923 ~ March 15, 2013

Robert Hibbard, 89, of Vancouver, WA, passed away Fri., March 15, 2013. He was the son of Charles and Mary Hibbard, born on Nov. 22, 1923.
"Bob" was in the U.S. Navy in WWII as a Morse code signalman.
After the war he went to graduate school and worked for the railroad as a telegrapher. He later became a High School teacher, first at the old Ft. Vancouver High School. Bob later was involved the opening of Columbia River High School and the new Ft. Vancouver, High School, where he worked until his retirement.
He was a much-admired high school history and social studies teacher whose students often became friends and stayed in contact long after leaving the classroom. As a teacher and life long learner, he inspired two of his grandchildren, Erica and Jacob, to follow in his footsteps and enter teacher-training programs.
In the 70's, Bob was sent as envoy to Yugoslavia (learning the language before leaving) to observe and learn about their school system. In 1969, he sold his car and biked to work from then on. He rode a bicycle up to the time of his death. A lover of language and the written word, he both read and spoke German and Spanish. (Learning Spanish for his visit to his brother Tim and his wife Nena, residents of Argentina)
In the final days of his life, Bob was reading the Brothers Karamazov, for what he guessed was the 7th time. It was a story he said, that contained much of what is true about life. He died as he lived, with his books and his family.
Bob is survived by his wife of 60 years, Therese; daughter, Rita (Roger); sons, Tom (Jill), Greg (Bev) and John (Pinky); and eight grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Charles; and son, Christopher.
Services will be held Fri., March 22, 2013 at 12:10 p.m., at St. James Catholic Church, Columbia and 12th St., Vancouver, WA.
Please sign his guest book at: www.columbian.com/obits.