George Gibbs, 84, of Allentown, died June 19, 2016, surrounded by family and friends in the Inpatient Hospice Unit at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown. He was the husband of Barbara A. (Carlson) Gibbs. They celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary Aug. 25, 2015. Born in Allamuchy, N.J., he was the son of the late Nellie (Davidson) Gibbs.

He was devoted to helping young people choose their best academic path.

He received an A.B. in economics from Muhlenberg College and an Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He attended the Harvard University School of Education and received an Master of Education degree in counseling from Lehigh University.

He was a Navy veteran, during the Cold War, serving on the Naval air squadron and received a commendation for outstanding performance of duty.

He began his career at the American Telephone & Telegraph Co. in the management training program, 1957-1960. He was assistant dean at the University of Pennsylvania, 1960-1963. He moved to Muhlenberg College in 1963 and was named assistant to the president, 1963-1964; vice president for development, 1964-1966; dean of admission and freshmen, 1966-1984. In 1984, he and the late Edward B. Wall founded the partnership Gibbs & Wall, an educational consulting and counseling firm. He operated the firm until his retirement in 2012.

He was a consultant for College Scholarship Service and the Educational Testing Service, 1972-2002 and Consulting Coordinator of College Counseling, 1987-2008 for Chatham Hall, Va., Newark Academy, N.J. and Kent Place, N.J.

He was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa and the National Association of College Admissions Counselors having served as a presenter at national and regional conferences and as a Pennsylvania delegate. He was a presenter at regional and national conferences of the College Entrance Examination Board and a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, serving as a consultant to the national committee on Uniform Student Financial Aid.

He served as program coordinator for the Allentown Youth Coalition; member of the Allentown Mayor’s Citizens’ Advisory Committee; talk show host, sports commentator and guest interviewer for WLVT-TV and PBS-TV; advisory board member of Lehigh County Human Services; and was a member of the board of directors of Kids Peace--National Centers for Kids in Crisis, the Community Concert Association, Kiwanis Club of Allentown and The Swain School.

Active with the Celtic Highland Games & Festival, Bethlehem, he served as chairman of the U.S. National Pipe Band Championship and was the founding member of the development and management committee of the sports fields of Lehigh County.

He was the author of several publications including; “Educational Planning & Financing,” “Campus Daze-Easing the Transition from High School to College” and “107 Main Street.”

He was a former member and lector at The Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, Emmaus.

He was a passionate man who loved his family, his Scottish heritage and the Brooklyn Dodgers.

He is survived by his wife; daughter, Kimberly and her husband Mark Dolan, of Barrington, R.I.; stepdaughter, Catherine Swanson, of Green Lane; stepsons, Kenneth Swanson and his wife Catherine, of Exton, Thomas Swanson and his wife Elizabeth, of Zionsville, Mark Swanson and his wife Jacqueline, of Hatfield; grandchildren, Maddison and Magdalene O’Hayer; stepgrandchildren, Zachary and his wife Erin, Michael, Nicholas, Kenneth, Katherine and Matthew Swanson, Joseph and Robert Brudnak.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Lehigh Valley Division, 968 Postal Road, Suite 110, Allentown, 18109 or Lehigh Valley Hospice, 2166 S. 12th St., Allentown, 18103.

Arrangements were made by the J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home, Allentown.