Earl W. Hibpshman
November 24, 1924 ~ July 31, 2006
Resided in:
Soldotna, AK
Longtime Alaskan resident, Earl W. Hibpshman, died July 31, 2006, surrounded by his wife and children at Heritage Place in Soldotna, Alaska at the age of 81. Earl was born in Blackwell, Oklahoma to Ethel an Lowe Hibpshman on November 24, 1924. He had seven brothers and sisters. He lived many years in Pueblo, Colorado, and graduated from Pueblo Centennial High School. Earl served his country in World War II in the Philippines and the re-building of Japan in 1944 and 1945. In 1944, Earl met and married Ethelyn Ruth Miller and they moved to Alaska in May 1949. Earl worked as a carpenter on Elmendorf, The Alaskan Native Hospital, and in 1952, joined the Anchorage Police Department. Earl attended the FBI Academy in Washington, D.C. and eventually retired in 1974 as Chief of Police in Anchorage, Alaska. After retiring, Earl went back to work for Nana Security on the North Slope and retired again in 1991.
Earl was a dedicated family man who was extremely generous and was greatly loved. His family was dear to him and he always attended to and provided for them. He was full of integrity and died with dignity. Earl was talented in many ways and his hobbies included woodcarving and building.
Earl and Ruth had seven children, two of which preceded him in death. Susan Lee Hibpshman in 1948, and William Earl Hibpshman in 1968, in Vietnam. Also preceded in death by his parents, Ethel and Lowe Hibpshman.
Earl is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ethelyn Ruth Hibpshman of Nikiski, Alaska; children, Mary Ellen Goodman of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Robert D. Hibpshman of Nikiski, Alaska, Thomas G. Hibpshman of Sterling, Alaska, James E. Hibpshman of Homer, Alaska and Charlene M. Johnson (Cheri Hibpshman) of Soldotna. Also, Earl is survived by fourteen grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren. Also surviving him are his brothers, Clifford (Lily) of Pueblo and Mark (Joan) Hibpshman of Denver; sisters, Norma (Pete) Lira and Alice Mace, both of Pueblo; sisters-in-law, Mildred Hibpshman of Eagle River, Alaska, Carrie (Jim) Jauch and Blanche Hibpshman, both of Pueblo.
The family wants to say a special public 'Thank You' to Heritage Place and to the many loving employees and care takers there. You all did a splendid job in Dad's care and we will never be able to express our gratitude. We thank you for the kindness, support and tender care that were given not only to Dad, but also to all of us. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be given in Earl's honor to Heritage Place, 232 W. Rockwell Ave., Soldotna, Alaska 99669 in Soldotna, Alaska, specifically for 'Sitka Rose'. Online condolences, www.montgomerysteward.com
I was a young officer working for Earl around 1970. He was a Lieutenant leading the Detective Division at the time and I was working undercover.
He, Sgt Frank Dias and I had some great times and successes together.
Later he became Chief and being Brash and opionated I opposed some of his decisions. I was loud and wrong and got myself fired.
I want to take this last opportunity on earth to apologize. I hope to do better in the future. I remember Earl as a great cop and a great leader.