In Memoriam: Trustee Emeritus Dr. Harold D. Bibb ’62
Emeritus Trustee Dr. Harold D. Bibb ’62 passed away on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at the South Kingstown Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in West Kingston, Rhode Island. Harold was born in Centralia, Illinois, on February 12, 1940, to the late Harold David Sr. and Corine Nelson Bibb.
Harold graduated from Knox College with a B.A. in Biology in 1962. As a student at Knox, Bibb was a member of the Alpha Delta Epsilon fraternity and the Knox Choir. He was also a member of the Lincoln-Douglas Society, an organization established in 1991 to honor those who are among Knox's most generous donors.
Following his graduation from Knox College with a bachelor of arts in biology, Bibb earned both his master of science in developmental biology and embryology and his doctor of philosophy in developmental biology and neural development from the University of Iowa. He went on to complete post-doctoral fellowships supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) at the University of Victoria in British Columbia and at Brown University.
He began a teaching and research career at the University of Rhode Island in 1972, spending his entire career at Rhode Island and later served as Chair of the Zoology Department and Associate Dean of Graduate Studies while continuing to teach. Over his distinguished career, he contributed extensively to graduate education and advanced research in developmental and neural biology.
Bibb also demonstrated a long-standing commitment to Knox College, serving as a general trustee from 1992 to 2012, before being named trustee emeritus in 2012. He was also committed to advancing diversity in higher education, working with the New England Board of Higher Education, the Compact for Faculty Diversity, and the Institute for the Recruitment of Teachers.
Bibb, along with fellow trustees Jan Koran '71 and James “Bud” Potter '63 stepped forward to support the creation of the bronze Got Your Back sculpture by fellow trustee Faye Stevenson Smith ’64, in honor of the 50th anniversary of Alliance for Black Liberty and Equality (A.B.L.E.). The sculpture is on display on the third floor of Alumni Hall.
He was married for almost 55 years to Brenda June Golberg. Harold was predeceased by his infant sister, Edna Sylvia, and his parents, Harold David Sr. and Corine Nelson Bibb. He is survived by his sister, Roslyn Tyus, brother Dale Murray; children, Martha Elaine Lin (Timothy), Emily Corine, and David Nelson; and cherished grandchildren Astraea and Hannah Lin.
Published on July 30, 2026