Ernest W. Gibson III facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ernest W. Gibson III
Gibson as a first year student at Harvard Law School in 1954
Associate Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court
In office February 11, 1983 – July 31, 1997
Preceded by	Franklin S. Billings Jr.
Succeeded by	Marilyn Skoglund
Judge of the Vermont Superior Court
In office 1972–1983
Preceded by	Rudolph J. Daley
Succeeded by	Alan W. Cheever
Chairman of the Vermont Public Service Board
In office 1963–1972
Preceded by	John D. Paterson
Succeeded by	William Gilbert
Member of the Vermont House of Representatives from Brattleboro
In office 1961–1963
Preceded by	Robert T. Gannett
Succeeded by	Anthony C. Buraczynski
State's Attorney of Windham County, Vermont
In office 1957–1961
Preceded by	John S. Burgess
Succeeded by	John A. Rocray
Personal details
Born	Ernest Willard Gibson III (1927-09-23)September 23, 1927 Brattleboro, Vermont
Died	May 17, 2020(2020-05-17) (aged 92) Northfield, Vermont
Resting place	Morningside Cemetery, Brattleboro, Vermont
Political party	Republican
Spouses	Charlotte Elaine Hungerford (m. 1960-2020), his death
Children	3
Parents	Ernest W. Gibson Jr. Dorothy P. (Switzer) Gibson
Relatives	Ernest Willard Gibson (grandfather)
Education	Yale University Harvard Law School
Profession	Attorney
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1945-1946 (Army) 1951-1953 (Army) 1953-1956 (Reserve) 1956-1971 (National Guard)
Rank	Major (Army)
Unit	United States Army United States Army Reserve Vermont Army National Guard
Battles/wars	World War II Korean War

Ernest W. Gibson III (born September 23, 1927 – died May 17, 2020) was an important American lawyer and judge. He served as a judge on the highest court in Vermont, called the Vermont Supreme Court.

Early Life and Family History

Ernest Willard Gibson III was born in Brattleboro, Vermont, on September 23, 1927. His parents were Ernest W. Gibson Jr. and Dorothy P. (Switzer) Gibson. His family had a strong history of public service.

His father, Ernest Gibson Jr., was a Governor of Vermont and also a judge for the United States. His grandfather, Ernest Willard Gibson, was a member of the United States House of Representatives and a United States Senator. This means Ernest W. Gibson III followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, who were also involved in government and law.

Education and Military Service

Ernest Gibson III finished high school in Washington, D.C., in 1945. After high school, he joined the United States Army at the end of World War II (1945 to 1946). He reached the rank of technical sergeant.

He then went to Yale University and earned his bachelor's degree in 1951. He served in the Army again during the Korean War. During this time, he was a captain in the field artillery. He received the Bronze Star Medal for his brave service.

After his military service, Gibson went to Harvard Law School and earned his law degree in 1956. He became a lawyer the same year. He also continued his military career in the Vermont Army National Guard. He became a major in the legal branch of the Army before he retired in 1971.

Political Career in Vermont

Ernest Gibson III was a member of the Republican Party. He started his political career as the state's attorney for Windham County, Vermont. This job meant he was the chief prosecutor for the county, handling legal cases for the state. He held this position from 1957 to 1961.

In 1960, he was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives, which is part of Vermont's state government. He served from 1961 to 1963. In 1963, he became the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, which deals with laws and the justice system.

Gibson was part of a group called the "Young Turks" in the House. These members worked together to pass new laws that would help the state, no matter their political party. They played a big role in changing Vermont politics. They helped elect Philip H. Hoff as governor in 1962, which ended a long period where one political party had most of the power in the state.

From 1963 to 1972, Gibson was the Chairman of the Vermont Public Service Board. This board helps make sure that public services, like electricity and water, are fair and available to everyone.

Serving as a Judge

In 1972, Ernest Gibson III was appointed as a judge for the Vermont Superior Court. This court handles many different types of legal cases. He served as a Superior Court judge until 1983.

In 1983, a judge named Franklin S. Billings Jr. from the Vermont Supreme Court became the chief justice. Ernest Gibson III was chosen to take his place as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court. He started this important role on February 11, 1983. He served on the highest court in Vermont until he retired on July 31, 1997.

Later Years and Retirement

In January 1997, Justice Gibson performed an important duty. He gave the oath of office to Howard Dean, who had been reelected as Governor of Vermont. Gibson served on the Supreme Court until he reached the mandatory retirement age of 70. After he retired, Marilyn Skoglund took his place on the court.

Personal Life

Ernest Gibson III was also involved in his church community. He served as the Chancellor of the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont from 1977 to 1998. He was also the President of the Board of Trustees for the Diocese from 1991 to 1998.

In 1960, he married Charlotte Elaine Hungerford. They had three children together: Margaret, Mary, and John. Ernest W. Gibson III passed away in Northfield, Vermont, on May 17, 2020, at the age of 92. He was buried at Morningside Cemetery in Brattleboro, Vermont.

Images for kids

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  Ernest W. Gibson III as a first year student at Harvard Law School in 1954.