Peter Edward Gibbs

Peter Edward Gibbs, a brilliant engineer, legendary outdoorsman, and world traveler, passed away peacefully with his dear friend by his side on May 16, 2026, at the age of 82.

Peter was born on October 16, 1943, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Harold Lewis Gibbs and

Maude Louzetta Newman. His adventurous spirit was ignited early in life, including a formative study abroad program in Mexico City during his high school years. He graduated from East High School before dedicating himself to higher education at the University of Utah, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics, followed by a Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering.

Peter beautifully masterminded a bridge between his scientific mind and his passion for the outdoors. An inventive entrepreneur, he designed a revolutionary device that became an essential tool for vertical rope work across multiple disciplines, including caving, rock climbing, arboriculture, sailing, and search and rescue operations: the Gibbs Ascender. He successfully manufactured and distributed this industry-changing equipment worldwide through his company, Gibbs Products.

Beyond his inventions, Peter was a legendary figure in the outdoor community. He spent years as a river guide and boatman for Western Expeditions, Outlaw Trails, and other companies, navigating and guiding countless trips down the Colorado River and the major rivers of Utah and surrounding states. A consummate athlete and outdoorsman, his passions knew no seasons; he loved fly fishing, mountain biking, river and sea kayaking, downhill and cross-country skiing, and he even played hockey well into his adult years.

Peter was also a pioneering mountaineer who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and conquered peaks across the globe. He established and named many of the classic climbing routes still used today in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, and climbed El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, where a classic route was named in his honor. His deep impact on the river community was beautifully chronicled in a featured interview in Boatman’s Quarterly Review, which can be read online at Boatman's Quarterly Review (BQR volume 28 number 3 issue pdf link here).

Peter was also a gifted storyteller and author, publishing three books. His first, though

styled as fiction, was a deeply personal reflection on his own mountaineering experiences in Colombia. He also authored two murder mysteries (amazon Peter Gibbs author page) along the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River—one of his absolute favorite places on Earth. An insatiable explorer, Peter spent a lifetime traveling the world on extraordinary adventures that spanned nearly every continent, though Central and South America always remained his absolute favorite places to explore. His global journeys also took him from the remote wilds of Siberia and Mongolia to the deserts of North Africa, the plains of East Africa, and throughout Asia and Europe, where he enthusiastically embraced and enjoyed the local foods and cultures of every region he visited.

Back home in Utah, Peter’s life remained incredibly vibrant and active, surrounded by a legacy of deep, lifelong friends, including Ed Hikida and many others who shared his passions. He was a man of many talents who loved camping, mastering the culinary arts in his own kitchen, and crafting his own wine. Among his innermost circle, Peter shared a profound, decades-long friendship with Ray Erkkila. The two first met at hockey practice and went on to spend many years side-by-side camping, river running, and playing the game they both loved. In fact, it was Pete who originally inspired Ray to become a river guide alongside him.

This bond naturally extended to Ray’s family; Peter shared an especially deep, enduring connection with Ray’s son, Jeremy Erkkila, who was one of his dearest friends.

Because of their close relationship and significant age difference, many naturally assumed Jeremy was his son. Over the years, they shared countless adventures and spent a wonderful lifetime of days exploring their favorite pastimes. Together with Jeremy’s parents, they loved camping, and the duo spent hours cooking, going to concerts, fly fishing, river running, hiking, and both downhill and cross-country skiing.

When Peter moved into Meadow Peak Assisted Living, Jeremy’s devoted presence seamlessly continued; he remained a constant part of Peter’s life, regularly taking him out for lunches, trips to the movies, heading out for gentle mountain walks together, and sharing cherished afternoons. A wonderful highlight of Peter’s later years was a memorable trip to Moab in November 2023, shared with Jeremy and his wife Jeni, a journey that beautifully brought him back to the red rocks he loved so dearly.

The family and Jeremy wish to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Meadow Peak Assisted Living and the team at True North Hospice for their compassionate support, with a special, deepest thank you to two of his favorite caregivers, Natalie and Susi, who filled his final years with immense warmth, kindness, and exceptional care.

Peter was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Lavonne Gibbs; his nephew and niece-in-law, Chris and Nancy Gibbs; and his niece and nephew-in-law, Cari and Greg Dakin, along with their children, Reese and James Dakin. He also leaves behind his cousin and his wife, Richard and Susan Thomas and their son Henry; his cousin Karren and Lonnie Johnson, along with their children Max, Kris, and Bruce. He also leaves behind his lifelong friend, Ray Erkkila and his wife Robyn, their children and grandchildren; and a network of cherished friends near and far. He will be missed immensely by Jeremy and Jeni Erkkila, who loved and cared for him like family, and by the countless guides, climbers, anglers, and cavers whose lives he enriched and protected.

In keeping with Peter’s explicit wishes, no formal funeral services will be held. For those who wish to honor his memory, the family suggests making a donation in his name to your own favorite or preferred charity, celebrating a cause close to your heart just as Peter fiercely pursued his own passions.