Frank Gibb Oram, 77, died suddenly on Feb. 12 at Boulder Community Hospital in Colorado.
Born in Central Valley, N.Y., Gibb graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1951, followed by a Masters degree in electrical engineering from Columbia University in 1959.
He was a longtime member of I.E.E.E.
Gibb served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, learning Korean at the Army Language School in Monterey, Cal.
Most of Gibb’s professional career was spent at Bell Labs in Holmdel, N.J. He moved to Colorado as a liaison between Bell Labs and U.S. West in 1990, ultimately retiring from U.S. West. In his retirement, he enjoyed driving cars for Enterprise Rent a Car, Inc.
Possessing a beautiful tenor voice, Gibb was a longtime member of the Boulder Choral in Colorado, where he sang many times with the Boulder Philharmonic, Jubilate!, and the Chancel Choir at First Presbyterian Church in Boulder, Col. He was a 30-year member of the Monmouth Civic Chorus in Red Bank, N.J., where he met his wife. He sang at Carnegie Hall, as well as the Garden State Arts Center.
Theatre was his love. Well-known in the Boulder, Col. and Damariscotta areas for his many stage appearances, Gibb performed with the Nomad, Longmont, Jesters and Lincoln Theaters as well as the Colorado University Summer Opera. Some of his favorite roles included the grandfather in Heidi, Daddy Warbucks in Annie, Jeff in Brigadoon; as well as roles in Lend me a Tenor, Secret Garden, and Damn Yankees. Gibb was also an original member of the “Two Bit Players” in Boulder, Col., where he both acted and directed.
He is survived by his wife of almost 40 years, Joanie; children, Kathleen Oram of McLean, Va., Suzanne Brennan of Scituate, Mass., Judi Altman of Ocean Springs, Ms., Cathy Lombarski of Lanoka Harbor, N.J., and Craig Cornelius of Boulder, Col.; four sons-in-law; and nine grandchildren.
A memorial service was held Feb. 16 at the First Presbyterian Church in Boulder, Col.
Memorial contributions may be made to Jubilate! Sacred Singers, P.O. Box 3381, Boulder, CO 80307; Boulder Chorale, 685 Inca Pkwy, Boulder, CO 80303; or The Carpenter’s Boatshop, 440 Old County Rd., Pemaquid, ME 04558.
