Alva Hibbs, In Memoriam

“Alva William Hibbs was born in Monte Vista, Colorado on August 10th, 1942. He affirmed until the day he died that he remembered the day, with the bright lights and awkward discomfort. He had a prodigious mind that simply amazed all those with whom he shared his encyclopedic memory, wit, and wisdom.

Alva, known to friends as “Al", was the son of Alva and Frances Hibbs and the oldest of two boys. He is survived by his younger brother, John David Hibbs, (Ruthanne), of Boulder, Colorado.

Al earned a BS in Electrical Engineering from Denver University and served in Civil Service at the White Sands Missile Range in Las Cruces, New Mexico for almost 30 years. Upon retirement, in 1998, he moved home to Del Norte, Colorado, and joined forces with an intrepid group of community leaders dedicated to restoring the historic Windsor Hotel. Al donated more than 20 years of his time, managing finances, writing grants, hiring contractors, fund-raising, and meticulously leading a restoration effort like only an engineer could. His efforts were crucial to preparing the property to be the thriving stay and play destination it is today.

Simultaneously with the Windsor project, Al established the "Lookout Mountain Observatory Association" and donated land inside the town of Del Norte that is used for the observatory. In most things, Al was a scientist first. He will also be remembered as a tireless behind-the-scenes leader, community philanthropist, brother, neighbor, and friend.”

Donations in memory of Al's legacy can be made to:

Lookout Mountain Observatory Association

P.O. Box 432 Del Norte, Colorado 81132

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Alphorisms

On Being Married: "Having a wife is like a house guest that never goes home."

On Religion: "I don't have any invisible friends."

On Loneliness: "I have never been bored with my own company."

On Routine: "Every day is Saturday."

On Inquiry: "Never answer a question you weren’t asked."

On Reincarnation: "I am certain I was a cat in a previous life."

On Home Design: "Less is More."

On Food: "In a universe of plates I tend toward the one with the most on it."