Gale Gibson

Gale Gifford Gibson, 75, died January 17, 2010 of natural causes at his home in Mattawa, WA. Born and reared in Ankeny, Iowa, Gale graduated Ankeny High School in 1952. He then began his higher education at Drake University in Des Moines, only to be interrupted by tour of duty with the U.S. Army stationed in Germany. Upon his return to Ankeny he continued his education at Iowa State University working toward a B.S. degree under a football scholarship, which in turn, led to being drafted by the New York Giants.

In 1955, he married JoAnn Podnar and throughout his life was married to Pat Day and Ronda Nelson.

Gale joined Univac, a division of Sperry Rand in Des Moines, working at their businesses in Ambler, PA; Minneapolis, MN; and finally Seattle, WA from 1959 ¬¬ 1974. After his move west, he also worked on the Alaskan Pipeline.

Fond of adventure, Gale trekked through Washington, fishing small streams and exploring the Columbia River Basin. He was an avid golfer although his passion for golf waned in later years.

After settling in Washington, Gale pursued his education at the University of Washington receiving B.A. and M.A. degrees in political science. His interest always involved computers, even as a young college student, Gale participated in the development of an early prototype of computer. In 1983, he started his current business, VERTEK, joining forces with Jack Rosenoff in Bellevue, WA, establishing a reputation as one of the leading experts in the field of occupational information and information systems.

Gale routinely presented at national and state meetings of the International Association of Rehab Professionals. Among others, he was also a consultant to the Social Security Administration.

Gale is survived by his children, David Gibson, Joyce (Mike Morr), Dennis Gibson (Melissa) all of Ankeny, Iowa, and Jonathan Gibson (Wanwipha) of Bangkok, Thailand; his stepchildren, Drew Nelson, Tony Nelson and Gina (Nelson) Bjorkland (Erik) all of the Seattle area; his sister, Jeanne Ersland, of Ankeny; 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Max and Ella Gibson; brother, Darrell; and sister and brother-in-law, Eleanor and Keith Tilton.

Friends are invited to view photos and share memories in the family’s online guest book at www.flintofts.com.

A memorial service will be held 10 a.m., Saturday, February 13, 2010 at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue, Des Moines.

On-line condolences may be made at HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

Print