he was born in lumsden and was educated at memorial university and the california institute of technology, receiving a phd in geology. he went on to study moon rocks and lunar soils at the lyndon b. johnson space center. in 1976, gibbons returned to newfoundland, becoming head of the publications and information section of the newfoundland department of mines and energy, also serving as coordinator of public relations and advertising for the mines branch of the department. he was an associate editor for "geoscience canada" and served on the board of regents for memorial university.