Robert Joseph Kibbee (August 19, 1921 – June 16, 1982) was an American university administrator who was Chancellor of the City University of New York.

Biography

Kibbee was born on Staten Island, New York. ^[1] His father was Hollywood actor Guy Kibbee and his mother was Helen Shay Kibbee; his parents separated when he was a young boy. ^{[2] [3] [4]} He attended Xavier High School in Manhattan, New York, and earned a bachelor's degree at Fordham University in 1943. ^{[1] [2] [4]}

After serving in World War II in the Philippines from 1940 to 1945, Kibbee earned a master's degree in higher education administration from the University of Chicago in 1947, and a doctorate there in 1957. ^{[4] [1] [2]} He was then administrative dean at Southern State College, and in 1955 became dean of students at Drake University. ^{[5] [2]} From 1958 to 1961 he worked for the University of Chicago as an educational advisor in Pakistan. ^[2] Kibbee then served as assistant to President John Warner and as vice president for planning and administration at Carnegie-Mellon University, and as President of the Pittsburgh Board of Education. ^{[1] [2] [4]}

Kibbee was Chancellor of the City University of New York, the third-largest university in the United States, from 1971 to 1982. ^{[1] [6] [3]} During that time CUNY transitioned to open admissions. ^[1]

He was married first to Katherine Kirk, and then in 1980 to Margaret Rockwitz. ^[3]

Kibbee had cranial surgery to remove a tumor, and died on June 16, 1982, two weeks before his scheduled retirement, at 60 years of age. ^{[1] [2] [3]} The library at Kingsborough Community College is named after him. ^[7]

References

External links

• The City University of New York