John Hibbard

John Davis Hibbard, Jr, a long-time resident of Grand Rapids and Castle Park, passed away on June 18, 2024.  He was 90 years old.  John will be remembered as a loving father, devoted husband, and dedicated friend.  He was born on August 1, 1933 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Margaret Cook and John Davis Hibbard Sr., and spent much of his life in West Michigan.  He graduated from East Grand Rapids High School in 1951, and attended the University of Michigan where he received a bachelor’s degree in engineering in 1956.  While at college, he joined the Sigma Phi fraternity as a fourth generation legacy, and served as its president.  Upon gradation, John served in the U.S. Navy as an ensign on a troop transport circling the world.  

After returning from his service in the Navy, he met and married Gwen Williams, his wife of 65 years.  Together they raised four children, Jeff, Scott, Sarah and Chris.  

Hibbard started his professional career in 1957 as a life insurance representative selling for Mutual Benefit Life.  Later, he represented Guardian Life, among other insurance companies.  He received a professional designation of Chartered Life Underwriter, and Charter Financial Consultant, and was a member of the Million Dollar Round Table trade association for many years.  Hibbard joined Pat Umphrey to form Hibbard/Umphrey and Associates.   John was consistently one of the top performers for Guardian Life, earning various awards until he retired in 2008. 

In addition to his family and professional responsibilities, John was deeply involved with the Grand Rapids community.  He was President of the Kent County Mental Health Society and, later, became President of the Michigan Society for Mental Health.  He was also a Board Member of the Central YMCA, the United Way of Kent County, the Civic Theatre, and was on the Board and Foundation for Fountain Street Church.  John was a founding board member and treasurer of Planned Parenthood of West Michigan, and a founding board member of the Grand Rapids Opera.  He also served as the local chairman of the United Negro College Fund for fifteen years.  John was the secretary of the downtown Rotary Club for 17 years and received the Paul Harris Fellow Award for his service.  John also had the privilege of serving as the Vice President of the Dyer-Ives Foundation from its founding in 1961 until its closing 55 years later in December 2016.

Hibbard loved to travel, visiting countries throughout Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, as well as exploring the United States with his family.  An avid sportsman, he was a long-time member of the Kinne Creek Association, Kent Country Club and Castle Park Association.      

John was preceded in death by his parents Margaret Cook Hibbard and John Davis Hibbard Sr, his sisters Jane Hibbard Idema, Mary Hibbard Redding and Peggy Hibbard Steketee, and his loving wife, Gwen Williams Hibbard. He is survived by their children Jeffrey (Ann) Hibbard, Scott (Tara Magner) Hibbard, Sarah Hibbard and Christopher Hibbard, and six grandchildren: Kathryn Hibbard, John (Lizzie Savage) Hibbard and William Hibbard, and Austin (Abbie) Swaney, Spencer (Kristen Etterbeek) Swaney and Clare (George Fitch) Swaney, and a great grand-daughter, Isla Rose Swaney.   

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 30, at 11:00 am at Fountain Street Church in Grand Rapids, MI.  Memorial Contributions can be made to Planned Parenthood of Western Michigan or Fountain Street Church.

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