Dr. Denis L. Gibbs

Our beloved, Dr. Denis Gibbs, of Niles, Michigan unexpectedly passed away on January 2, 2025. While saddened by his loss, he departed the way he always wanted to…peacefully, with his wife by his side all the way until the end.

A beautiful childhood story he openly shared with others. At a precious age of three, Denis was given M&M’s (a luxury at the time) during a doctor’s visit and decided that if doctors could afford this candy, then he was going to become one.

For the last 20+ years, Dr. Gibbs has been the primary, and often sole onsite, Radiologist covering Lakeland Hospital Niles. After moving from Colorado to Michigan in the early 2000s, he entered into a small private practice, eventually merging with Radiology Associates of Berrien County, expanding coverage to Saint Joseph and Watervliet while also assuming the role of Chief Financial Officer for the group (where his financial acumen was welcomed and appreciated). Later in time, Radiology Associates, merged with Advanced Radiology Services, forming one of the largest radiology groups in the Midwest, and where Dr. Gibbs would go on to be appointed Clinical Assistant Professor in the Division of Radiology from Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine in 2018. This appointment and role in training the residents brought great pleasure to Dr. Gibbs, as he enjoyed providing mentorship, guidance, and training to the next generation of doctors and being able to play a pivotal role in shaping the development of well rounded physicians. He was described by the residents as patient, extensively thorough, and having great attention to detail.

Throughout Dr. Gibbs’s career as a Radiologist, the passion he held for his work was a defining quality of his life. He demanded perfection of himself and viewed every imaging scan not as mere images of bone or tissue, but as his patients who relied on his gentle care and expertise. He insisted on meticulously reviewing every patient’s full history for any clue that might lead to the correct diagnosis. Each case was like a puzzle that he was compelled to solve and he did so with great satisfaction. This labor of love saved more lives than can be counted. Outside of reading films, Dr. Gibbs applied this same focus when performing Interventional Radiology  procedures, where he would often spend additional time to walk patients through what he was going to do, step-by-step, to help calm their nerves before, during, and after a procedure. His commitment and dedication to his work and patients earned him “Doctor of the Year” honors twice.

He was a lover of simple pleasures in life, like a sabbath afternoon drive or nap, a Lynyrd Skynyrd tune on the radio, fishing and golfing, holding hands on walks with his wife, a hot bowl of french onion soup “crispy on top and not burnt”, summer afternoons with watermelon or a bowl of cherries, chocolate malts with pineapple, virgin strawberry daiquiris with real strawberries, his secret to the perfect tomato or green apple: “salt to taste”, and for setting the thermostat to a “comfortable” 90 degrees year-round. He quietly and selflessly changed the lives of all those who were blessed to know him.

Both inside and outside of work, Dr. Gibbs was known to be a kind and soft spoken man, who was an avid sports fan (anything Detroit), liked telling jokes, enjoyed exploring the world (from an expedition in the jungles of South America in his earlier years to a Safari in Africa later in life), liked skiing in Colorado, and most importantly a father and husband who loved his family. He is fondly remembered as not eating pork or drinking when out and about with his colleagues and friends, and often reminding his children to “Remember the Sabbath”. He is survived by his wife of over 35 years, Kathleen Gibbs, their son Andrew, and his four sons from a prior relationship, Jeremy, Matthew, Kevin and Patrick, and his three grandchildren Lauren, Elliot and Penelope. His family, friends, colleagues and the community will miss him tremendously.

Although his preferred method of travel was Amtrak, he would fly. In this manner, Denis and Kathleen took their final flight together–to the place where it all began–Colorado, where the journey would conclude in a private ceremony honoring a remarkable man:Dr. Denis L. Gibbs.

Epilogue
Jacob Blesses His Sons [Genesis 49:1, 28, and 33 ESV]
Then Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you what shall happen to you in days to come.1

All these are the twelve tribes of Israel. This is what their father said to them as he blessed them, blessing each with the blessing suitable to him.28

When Jacob finished commanding his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed and breathed his last and was gathered to his people.33

Similar to Jacob, our Dad had all sons, whom he loved deeply. He always put his children first and spared no expense ensuring they never had to experience the same hardships or adversities he had faced growing up. His impact will not be forgotten, and his presence will be deeply missed.

Condolence card acknowledgements may be sent to P. O. Box 820, Niles, MI 49120.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dr. Denis L. Gibbs, please visit our floral store.