Harold 'Hal' Hibbert, 73
Harold “Hal” Hibbert, 73, of Spring Creek, Nev., passed away Oct. 22, 2020, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Hal was born in Clarkston, Wash., to Bryce and Shirley Hibbert on Aug. 13, 1947.
His childhood was spent mostly between North Idaho and Northwestern Montana, with a brief stint in California, where he learned that flour tortillas and lefse were not the same thing.
In 1965, he graduated from Lincoln County High School in Eureka, Mont. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the Vietnam War, spending time in both Vietnam and Japan. He was briefly married to Anne Grosvenor and they had two daughters, Beth and Heather, both born in Kellogg, Idaho. Hal worked at Bunker Hill until its closure.
In 1987 Hal, Beth and Heather moved to Kingston, Nev., where he worked for Nevada Goldfield. When that mine shut down in 1990, they relocated to Spring Creek, Nev., where Hal worked at Barrick Goldstrike for many years. It was after that job that his career took an unexpected turn. Hal became a teacher. He developed and implemented a citizenship course through Great Basin College, and also taught English as a Second Language (ESL). He took great pride in his new profession, and helped many people become U.S. citizens.
He also coached Little League baseball for many years, coaching most of his grandchildren along the way. Coach Hal wanted to make sure that anyone who had an interest in playing baseball always had an opportunity to do so. He was an avid reader, concert-goer, musician and golfer. He loved watching all of his grandchildren play sports. He was brilliant, funny and quick-witted. Hal would do anything for anyone, and would always help where he could.
Hal is preceded in death by his parents, Shirley Hill and Bryce and Peg Hibbert; mother-in-law Marion Grosvenor and brother-in-law Ron Frank.
Hal is survived by his daughters, Beth Meza and Heather Hibbert Bair (Loni); sister Dawn Frank; brother Gary Hibbert (Betty); brother Monte Grob (Terri); sister Terri Vredenburg (John); brothers-in-law Roger Grosvenor and Charlie Grosvenor (Ling); sister-in-law Billie Jo Grosvenor (Rodney); sis Nona Fausett; grandchildren Andrew Meza (Hayley), Oscar Meza (Rian), Isaac Meza (Zennia), Cristofer Meza, Kelsea Meza and Logan Bair; and great-grandchildren Isaiah, Kynlee, Ever, Grey and Ayven. He was also a bonus dad and grandpa to countless others.
The family wishes to extend our sincere gratitude to the Huntsman Cancer Institute, especially Dr. Weis and Dr. Abraham. We would also like to thank everyone who has reached out to us regarding our Dad. We appreciate all of your stories and fond memories.
Viewing will be from 5-8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, at Burns Funeral Home in Elko, Nev. Graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, at the Elko Cemetery. Reception to follow at the VFW Hall immediately after the graveside service. In light of the current pandemic, and out of respect for others, please wear face masks and practice social distancing.