Centenarian Alumni Honored at Commencement
President Dan Martin honored Forest Gibson ’39 (right) and Mary Louise Kimball Gibson ’39 (who was not able to attend) at SPU's Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony on June 11. 2016.
By Clint Kelly
Eighty-one years is a long time to have eyes for just one person. Yet Seattle Pacific University’s longest-living alumni couple has been keeping a close watch on one another since their first day of classes in 1935. Forest Gibson and Mary Louise Kimball quickly fell in love and spent so much time together that then-Dean Jacob Moyer called them into his office to caution that the couple was at risk of growing tired of one another. “It hasn’t happened yet,” says Forest, with more than a hint of glee.
The Gibsons, members of the Class of 1939, both celebrate 100 years old this year, he in July, she in September. They also celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary in August.
Forest, a retired U.S. Army major, taught at MIT and worked at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He was one of the first to major in physics at Seattle Pacific.
Mary Louise studied at SPC before transferring to Western Washington College of Education to complete her teacher training certification. While still a student at Western, she taught the first-ever kindergarten class in the Aberdeen School District.
The Gibsons’ family history is replete with SPU ties. Forest’s father, Clayton, was an educator who served 33 years as a trustee of SPC. Forest’s brother, Evan ’33, was not only an SPU board member and an English faculty member, he also established the Clayton E. Gibson and Evan K. Gibson Scholarship Endowment to benefit students in the School of Education. A number of siblings, nieces, nephews, and the Gibsons’ daughter, Mary Jane Gibson ’68, who graduated cum laude and completed her teacher certification, hold diplomas from Seattle Pacific.
Though Mary Louise was unable to attend this year’s Commencement ceremony, Forest was an honored guest singled out by President Dan Martin for recognition upon the milestone of SPU’s 125th anniversary.
“Our hope for this class is that God will care for them and guide their lives as he has ours,” says Forest. When asked his advice for living to 100, he demurs. “We could make a good living selling that secret. Keep open minded and active.”