James Albert Gibson, 70, died Feb. 23, 2009, at his home in Flagstaff, Arizona. He was born May 7, 1938, in Batesville, Indiana, son of Charles S. Gibson and Adeline Goyert Gibson.

Gibson was an anthropologist and linguist, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Indiana University in 1960, a Master of Arts degree in Linguistics from the University of Washington in 1964, and Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of Hawaii, Hilo in 1973. He taught Anthropology and Linguistics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln from 1969 to 1996, when he retired as Professor Emeritus. He was a beloved professor, revered by his students and highly regarded by his colleagues. Upon retirement, he and his family moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, and later to Flagstaff, Arizona in 2002.

Hobbies that enriched his life included fly fishing, reading eclectically in physics, Civil War history, opera, genealogy, and in many other fields. As a young man, he was an active fly fisherman and hunter, and was extremely committed to preservation of wildlands and natural conservation. He was an avid opera lover, and attended operas regularly in New York, Chicago, Central City and Santa Fe. His wit and wry sense of humor will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Liz Grobsmith, and his children Sarah Gibson of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Miriam Grobsmith of Three Rivers, California, and Jeremy Grobsmith of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

A private family memorial will celebrate Jim's life.

In Lieu of flowers donations my be made in his name to the Natures Conservancy or the Sierra Club