John Wesley Libb III (Wes) of Huntsville, Alabama, passed away June 16th from pancreatic cancer. He was 78 years old.
Mr. Libb is survived by his wife of 56 years, Eileen Hollowell Libb; daughter Rhonda Libb; son Michael Libb; granddaughters Kristine Mackey and Megan Mackey, all of Huntsville; grandson Presley Libb and granddaughter Abigail Libb, both of Birmingham; and sister Shirley Fulmer of Simpsonville, South Carolina.
He was born in Clayton, NJ and later attended Toccoa Falls College. Afterwards, Mr. Libb earned a BS in Philosophy and Masters in Theology from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois and then a PhD in Psychology from University of Alabama. He did a post-doctoral at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago and returned to the University of Alabama as Professor of Child Psychology. Mr. Libb was responsible for the establishment of Ridgecrest Children’s Center for emotionally challenged children and was the Director from 1970 -1977.
From 1977-1988, he became Associate Director of Sparks Center for Development and Learning Disorders at University of Alabama Medical Center in Birmingham. Mr. Libb ended his career as Professor in the Psychiatry Department and was made Professor Emeritus in 1995. During his career, he was author and co-author of many professional articles in prominent psychological publications. He was a member and board member of many professional societies and was past President of the Alabama Psychological Association.
He had a long rewarding retirement living in Blue Water Bay and Niceville, Florida, summers at Beech Mountain, North Carolina and finally in Huntsville, Alabama. Mr. Libb enjoyed playing tennis, hiking, bikeriding, playing bridge, and entertaining. He was a Master Gardener, gourmet cook, watercolor and acrylic artist, and soloist. Mr. Libb sang in Chancel Choir and Mature Methodist Choir for several years at Niceville Methodist Church. Also, he was a volunteer for Florida Trail Association. Mr. Libb was considered a real gentleman by his friends and was a Renaissance man, being so talented in so many areas.
The family will have visitation at their home in Owens Cross Roads, Alabama on Sunday, June 25th from 3 – 5 pm. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to: Hospice Family Care; 3304 Westmill Drive; Huntsville, Alabama 35805. Berryhill Funeral Home is assisting the family.
