lan Robert Gibb 1945-2001

Former Rowville resident, lan Gibb, died on 10 November 2001 after a long battle with cancer. lan was the only child of Hal and Elizabeth Gibb whose story was published in the Local History section of the News in March 1994. Hal and Elizabeth came to Rowville in 1936 and they became successful farmers on two properties on either side of Wellington Road.
lan was born on 4 September 1945 and was a very cherished child. He went to Mulgrave State School and later to Dandenong Technical School where his interests in all things mechanical were strengthened. He was apprenticed to Preston Motors and qualified as an A grade motor mechanic.
As a young child he sold newspapers at the Stamford Hotel and later in life he worked part time at the Rowville Drive In. It was there in 1970 that he met his future wife Jan and they were married three years later.
Hal Gibb had been one of the founding members of the Rowville Fire Brigade and lan for a time followed in his father's footsteps. This willingness to involve himself in community service became a very strong theme in his life but in his youthful years he found outlets for his boundless energy in a number of adventurous sports: hang gliding, ultra light flying and go kart racing.
Jan was relieved when lan decided to direct his drive into the Dandenong Kiwanis Club when he became one of its founding members in 1974. His enthusiasm was infectious and he attracted new members to the club while, at the same time, he became one of the driving forces behind the club's fund raising activities to support worthy local, national and international causes such as a recent major project to obtain and send clothing, school equipment and cattle to East Timor.
All Rowville people who knew lan remember him with great affection and I join them in extending our sympathies to Jan and Elizabeth.
Bryan Power

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