William L. Gibson '74
A Chicago native now living in Florida, Brother Bill Gibson remembers his Fiji experience as an important one, not just during his college years, but for his entire life.
As undergraduate, Brother Gibson was heavily active in the chapter, serving at different times as the chapter’s Intramural-Sports Chair, Social Chairman, and Secretary. Although, he may best be remembered for starting the Rho Phi Open Golf Tournament. Of course the original tournament brought together teams of Fijis from chapters all over the state of Indiana.
Rose-Hulman is also where he met Susan, his wife of 31 years. She was attending the all-women’s school, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (located near Terre Haute), when they met on the first day of classes. They married while still in school, in-between Brother Gibson’s junior and senior years.
After graduating from Rose-Hulman in 1974 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Brother Gibson returned to the Chicago area to start a 30 year career with Amoco (now part of the world ’s largest oil concern, British Petroleum). While with the company he worked in the refining industry, spending most of his career at a Chicago based refinery, before finishing his career at a Houston area refinery.
Through the years Brother Gibson has maintained contact with his chapter, even serving 10 years on Rho Phi’s House Corporation. He also found time for Little League Baseball, spending 8 years as a team manager and eventually serving as league commissioner. The Gibson family has also been life-long supporters of the performing art of dance. Of course their daughter Kristin, who began dancing at the age of 3, and just recently completed a degree in dancing, started this labor of love.
Brother Gibson and his wife Susan now live in Florida, retired and loving it. He spends much of his time playing golf. Their two grown children, Michael (26), and Kristin (23), both live in the Chicago area. When asked to describe what Phi Gamma Delta has meant to him, Brother Gibson promptly replied, “Fun times, good friendships, and a lot of learning.”