Albert W. Dibbins ’55

Al, a renowned pediatric surgeon, died Oct. 12, 2022, at home in Portland, Maine. He had been president of the New England Surgical Society, founding member of the New England Pediatric Surgical Society, and first inductee to the Maine Pediatric Hall of Fame. He also had his lab coats painted with Winnie-the-Pooh characters, loved judging an annual pie-making contest, and cared for the wounded at an evac hospital during one of the bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War.

Al was born July 28, 1933, in Everett, Mass. Before Princeton, he attended Andover and afterward Tufts Medical School, where he was first in his class. At Princeton, he majored in biology, joined Tiger Inn, and played freshman football and track. His senior-year roommates were Wilmot Gilland, Paul Porter, Fred London, Lew Barker, Richard Shaughnessy, Tom Webster, Henry Wendt, George Kirkham, and John Swabey.

In 1974, Al joined the staff of Maine Medical Center, where he would spend the rest of his career. He was said by many to be the founder of specialized pediatric care in Maine, and his impact on pediatric surgery was nationally and internationally recognized.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Betty; three daughters, Betsy Crocker, Tory Dibbins, and Susan Dibbins; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.