Forrest "Ian" Anthony Gibbs

Forrest “Ian” Anthony Gibbs, 40, of South Bend, unexpectedly passed after an accident on Thursday evening, August 29, 2024. He was born on Oct. 14, 1983, in Marquette, Michigan to Jeff Gibbs and Francie Rivette, and married Jeannine McGreevy on Dec. 19, 2011.

Ian grew up in part in an “off the grid” log house in near Marquette in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and later in life Ian spoke often of returning to the Marquette area and how much he loved the quiet stillness of the world covered in snow. He loved exploring the wilderness of woods, waterfalls, and Lake Superior with his family. He first began improvising music on the piano at five years old. Books were an early obsession, and he would often bring home a dozen from the library. As a teenager he began to teach himself web design and computer programming. Ian also resided in the Flint and the Traverse City areas during his youth.

In 2009, Ian moved to South Bend, Indiana where he lived the rest of his days. He also fell in love with the big city. and often went to Chicago and Detroit for music festivals and shows, and spending time with close friends. Electronic music was one of the great loves of his life. Whether seeing his favorite artists live, building an enormous collection of vinyl and cassette tapes, or endlessly play his synthesizers and music production software, Ian’s passion for music gave him great joy.

Some of Ian’s other hobbies were video games, music, and books — particularly anything sci-fi — running and biking. In recent years, Ian set out on a quest to make the best coffee he possibly could, continuously tinkering with equipment and testing different strategies with his espresso machine.

Ian was intense in everything he did. Everyone who knew him remembers long hours of debate and discussion about everything from politics to philosophy, to society.

However, what Ian will be remembered for more than anything is his generosity. In the days following his death, stories began pouring out of everyone he knew of his irresistible drive to help everyone around him. Whether it was helping someone move out of their house on short notice, taking people into his home who needed a place to stay, Ian did whatever he felt like he could do to make people’s lives better. Ian was always gifting people things—computers, water bottles, pizza ovens, or sound bars.

His generosity extended to animals as well, especially cats. A can of food for a hungry stray cat would turn into multiple hot huts in the backyard.

Ian was incredibly devoted to his wife, his family, and his friends. His influence will live on in all the lives he touched, and none of us would be the same without having met him. He will be missed for his dry humor, his kindness, his intelligence, and the inner strength that allowed him to keep on working to better the people and the world around him, in spite of all the personal challenges he himself was facing.

Ian is survived by his wife, Jeannine, his parents Jeff Gibbs and Francie Rivette, sister Maureen Gibbs, aunts Valorie Gibbs, Dawn Marra, and Kelly (Steve) Ashe, half-sibling Nate, and beloved cousins and in-laws, and his “Uncle” Mike. He was preceded in death by his older brother, Aaron Gibbs-Rivette.

A time to celebrate Ian’s life is scheduled for Tuesday, September 3, 2024, from 4-6 with a small service planned for 6pm at Wells and Cruz Family Funeral Home, Mishawaka. According to Ian’s wishes cremation will follow services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Humane Society. To light a virtual candle, share a story of Ian’s life, or offer a message of comfort for his family, please visit the Tribute Tab on the funeral home website.