William L. Fibkins, at 83
At the age of 83, William L. Fibkins jumped on his bike for his last ride. He died peacefully at home on Friday, Nov. 10, in Peconic, N.Y.
Born in Enfield, Conn., to William and Jean Fibkins, he was raised in Hull. He spent his summers working at Paragon Park, either cooking lobsters or running the roller coaster. He graduated from University of Massachusetts at Amherst with a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree and a doctorate degree in psychology and counseling from Syracuse University.
He spent his life improving the ways schools, teachers, and students interact. He founded the first “teacher center,” where teachers could learn from and share with their peers. He spent the rest of his time working with students by creating groups for them to share. After he retired, he continued his efforts by publishing more than 14 books to help educators become better related to their students and peers.
Mr. Fibkins was an athlete his entire life. He was a runner and then moved on to the gym every day and bicycled two or three times a day until his illness stopped him.
As much as he loved his work, his main love was his family. He and his wife, Kathy, were married 38 years ago and brought their five sons together to be a family and then became grandparents to eight grandchildren.
Mr. Fibkins is survived by his wife, Kathy; his sons, William and Brand, both of Edward, Colo., Brian of Mastic, N.Y., Shawn of Pompano Beach, Fla., and Dan of Hampstead, N.C.; grandchildren Kaitlin, Kristina, Sophia, Jack, Andrew, Harry, George, and Teddy; brother Paul of Paramus, N.J.; and sister, Kathy Jacobs, of Hull. He was predeceased by his brother, Bob.
Services have been held. Memorial donations may be made to East End Hospice, P.O. Box 1048, Westhampton Beach, N.Y. 11978.