Bob Gibson (musician) - Illness

Illness

Starting about 1990, Gibson started to experience the symptoms of an illness that would not be diagnosed until four years later. Loss of balance and falling backwards were among Gibson's first symptoms. Later, his vision and then his voice were affected. Doctors throughout the country were unsuccessful in diagnosing or treating him. In 1994 he entered the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida where he was diagnosed with Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). With only 20,000 people in the United States with PSP, there was very little research money available for study of the disease. Bob moved from "my favorite place to live (Gibson, page 211)" to Portland, Oregon where some research was being done on PSP.

Failing from his illness, Gibson invited many of his friends to a farewell concert on September 20, 1996 in Chicago. His letter to his friends included this paragraph.

"This may be the last chance I have to see many of you. I am finding it increasingly difficult to do the simplest things and traveling is really a challenge. I won't be able to play and sing with you, but I'm really looking forward to being an audience of one!"

The concert was held. Gibson tired early, struggled to rise and say goodnight, and received a standing ovation. One week later, on September 28, 1996, Gibson died at the home of his daughter, Susan, in Portland, Oregon.