Alan M. Gibson

May 18, 1938 - January 14, 2026

Gibson was born in Evarts, Kentucky on May 18, 1938. He attended Ann Arbor High School, graduating in 1956. His BS in Physics and MS in Secondary education were completed at Eastern Michigan University in 1961. In 1969 he completed a MS in Physics at Cornell University.

He began his teaching career in 1964 working for the Department of Defense Overseas Dependent Schools in Okinawa (1964-66) and as President of American Education Association and in Germany (1966-68). Gibson taught physics at Rochester Adams High School from 1969 to 2000. While there he sponsored the National Honor Society, Robotics Team, Astronomy and Physics Club, brought in $90,000 in Eisenhower Funds for the school. In 2000 he started Connect 2 Science, providing physics workshops.

Gibson was a selfless and tireless warrior in the ongoing war against ignorance, a model educator-citizen, a loyal friend, and an outstanding leader in the Michigan AAPT as well as the Detroit Metro Area PhysicsTeacher groups for over 30 years. He served as the Michigan AAPT Section Representative, as Vice Chair of the Section Representatives from 2005-2007, as Chair of the Section Representatives from 2007-2009, and as a member of the AAPT Executive Board 2005-2009.

An original PTRA program member in 1985, Gibson was active in the Rural PTRA program. He served as chair of AAPT’s International Education Committee and the High School Committee as well as a member of several other committees. In addition to all of his contributions at the local, state, and national levels, he served as an ambassador on physics “missions to the Far East”.

Gibson was recognized as a Technology Scholar by Radio Shack. He has received the highest awards of Outstanding Leadership/ Service from the Detroit Michigan Association of Physics Teachers and the Michigan Section of AAPT. The Westinghouse Merit Award recognized his work with Students. The American Association of Higher Education recognized his work on Academic Alliances and in 1988 he was the recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (1988) and was a finalist for the Michigan Science Teacher of the Year. AAPT recognized his service in 2009 with the Homer L. Dodge Citation for Distinguished Service to AAPT and in 2014 he was recognized as an AAPT Fellow.

He leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Marian Gibson, his daughter, Kirsten Stannis, and two grandchildren, Emma Oonk, Wyatt Oonk

Read more: 2009 Distinguished Service Citations Awarded to Alan Gibson, David Maiullo, Bruce Mason, Mary Winn, and Mel Steinberg

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David Wolfe

Director of Communications