Richard Gibson

Richard Gibson, age 88, passed away quickly while on a hunting safari with his son, Kim, on the border of the Timbavati Game Reserve and Kruger National Park in South Africa. He loved hunting in Africa, especially at the Marula Camp with his friends at Spear Safaris. He died with his boots on doing what he genuinely enjoyed, so not a bad way to go when God calls you home.

Rick was born November 17, 1935 in Weeping Water, NE to the late Harlan (Hoot) and Barb Gibson. He was united in marriage to Wanda Rhodes, his high school sweetheart, on November 24, 1955. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda; daughter, Tracy Connealy; son-in-law, Don Connealy; and granddaughter, Alissa Neff. Rick is survived by his daughter, Cheryl Neff (Omaha); son, Kim Gibson (Teresa) of Council Bluffs; 8 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

After graduating from high school in Weeping Water, Rick attended Doane College on a football scholarship and graduated in 1957 with a degree in history and education. While attending college, he was married to Wanda and they had two children, Cheryl, and Kim, and they lived in the married housing dorms on the Doane College campus. Rick always credited Doane College with providing him with the educational foundation to become a teacher, mentor, and business entrepreneur. He gave back to Doane financially and served on the Doane Board of Trustees from 1998 to 2024.

Rick taught school and coached at Exeter High School and then Omaha Tech while Wanda raised the kids and kept the home spotless. While teaching, Rick began crop adjusting hail losses in the summertime, eventually changing careers to crop insurance. The family moved to Millard, Des Moines, Topeka and then settled in Council Bluffs. Tracy was born in 1966 during their time in Millard.

Rick's business life revolved around crop insurance, and he spent over 50 years creating and forming some of the elite crop insurance companies in the industry. American Agrisurance, Agro National and Agro International Crop Insurance. His passion for excellence, innovation, service, and product development was unmatched.

He was a visionary, pioneer and a leader who was credited with the development and implementation of the Crop Revenue Coverage (CRC) policy, which formed the basis for today's revenue policy; the most widely sold crop insurance policy in the market today. He helped drive the success of the crop industry and financial stability of farmers across the US and ag economy. Rick served on the CHIAA Board (Crop Hail Insurance Association of America) from 1984-1989, and the NCIS Board (National Crop Insurance Services) 1989-1999. He served as Vice Chair of NCIS from 1989-1991 and Chair from 1991-1993.

Rick lived a good, full life filled with family, friends, and adventures around the world. His passions included reading books, hunting, fishing, Nebraska football, Doane University, and crop insurance politics. He loved his family and provided them with business and education opportunities to improve their lives. He was a small-town boy who never forgot his roots and family heritage in Weeping Water, Nebraska.

He missed Wanda greatly; he is now reunited with her in heaven along with other Family members.

Visitation is Friday, August 16, 2024, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., at the Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home. Memorial Service is Saturday, August 17, 2024, 1:00 p.m., also at the funeral home.  Following the service, a celebration of life party will be held at the Council Bluffs Country Club, 4500 Piute St, Council Bluffs, IA 51501 

Interment will be in the Oakwood Cemetery in Weeping Water, Nebraska on Sunday, August 18, 2024, 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been suggested to Doane University in Rick's name, and Cure SMA.

The service will be LiveStreamed on the Funeral Home website.