Robert Joseph Kibbee Jr
Bob Kibbee (1945-2022), HistoryForge co-founder
“Bob had a passionate belief that maps could help convey rich information about our communities. Speaking in mapmakers' terms, he could think about both the small- and large-scale issues of the project. He could see the project from a thousand feet up and its potential to grow and expand. He could also see the project from 20 feet above; how to link in other data or improve the interface.
Bob believed in the power of volunteers to bring history to life.” Kathy Chiang, friend and HistoryForge volunteer
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Bob Kibbee "believed in the power of volunteers to bring history to life.”
(Left to right) David Furber, Ben Sandberg, Eve Snyder, and Bob Kibbee after receiving Historic Ithaca's 2021 Award of Merit in Historic Preservation 2021
Robert, Bob, or “Boj”, was born in Baltimore, Maryland on April 9, 1945, a son of the late Katherine (Kirk) and Robert Joseph Kibbee. Boj’s childhood took him to many parts of the world, from Arkansas to Pakistan. He served in the Navy from 1963 to 1967, before entering academia, where he would remain for his entire career. He was a gifted scholar with a talent for languages and a lifelong quest for learning. His formal education included a B.A. in Classics (Boston University), M.A. in Classics (University of Michigan); and a Masters in Library Sciences (Syracuse University), which led to a 35-year career at Cornell University as a Reference Librarian and later a Map & Geospatial Librarian. As a librarian, Boj shared his love of research and encyclopedic knowledge with students and faculty, helping to bring to fruition countless research projects, articles, and books.
When something piqued Boj’s interest, he fully immersed himself in the subject. Over his 77 years, he cultivated such varied pursuits as the study of local history, lichens, cycling, competitive bagpiping, genealogy, historic maps, poetry, and literature. Boj’s enthusiasm was infectious, and he was generous with his knowledge. Those lucky enough to spend time with Boj came to appreciate the parts of life they may not have noticed before.
In retirement, Boj’s interest in maps and census data converged on preserving and sharing local history. As a key member of the History Forge project at The History Center in Tompkins County, he wrote competitive national grants and inspired a cohort of volunteers. The project was honored with the 2021 Preservation Award by Historic Ithaca. Boj also leant his mapping expertise to the Backbone Ridge History group, helping to preserve the history of the land and people of the Finger Lakes area."
https://www.ness-sibley.com/obituary/Robert-KibbeeJr
2022