HUBBARDTON — When fire departments from four towns showed up Tuesday, Jan. 26 at the fire on Black Pond Road in Hubbardton, it said much about small towns, the selflessness of firefighters and the generosity of one man’s life.
Bob Gibbs is a native Vermonter, living in the small town of Hubbardton where he grew up. He attended the one-room school, which is now the West Side Firehouse. He still tends the land where he as lived for 60 years. The cows are gone, but the meadows still get mowed and the barns fill up with hay through the summer. Like many Vermonters, he cobbles together a life from many forms of work.
But Bob’s life is more than that. He has served this small town in myriad ways. He chairs the Selectboard that his neighbors have elected him to year after year. He was a prime mover in getting zoning for Hubbardton and is the zoning administrator, serves on Planning Commission and on the Rutland Planning Commission. He volunteers every year for the reenactment of the Battle of Hubbardton, participating in much of the background work. He worked hard with others on Hubbardton’s 250th celebration and on keeping Hubbardton Days going as a response to the popularity of that great day. Many may know him as the gentleman who owns and operates Black Pond Supply.
The fire on Tuesday took his house and all his belongings. Some things can never be replaced. But while the fire was still burning, neighbors were already calling each other, asking, “What can we do?” The town office next day took call after call from people asking how they could help. In response, a GOFUNDME account has been set up. This is an online way to make a direct contribution to Bob to help him get through this hard time, and only Bob can access the contributions. It is a way we can give back to this humble and generous man. The link is www.gofundme.com/evnut8fw. Or just type in gofundme.com and partway down the site type in Bob Gibbs and it will take you there.
