Coming B. Gibbs Jr. ’58

Coming Gibbs died Sept. 27, 2012, in Charleston, S.C.

He came to Princeton from St. Mark’s School. At Princeton he majored in politics, served as treasurer of Charter Club, and joined Whig-Clio.

Coming did not always focus his considerable intellect on mere classroom assignments, which led to some dire warnings from the dean’s office. Nevertheless, his score on the LSAT (highest of anyone from South Carolina that year) resulted in an unsolicited acceptance from Harvard Law School. A proud and witty son of the South, Coming declined Harvard’s offer, stating that his fervent hope was to study law at the University of South Carolina, “if they deem me worthy.” They did, and he graduated magna cum laude with a clerkship with Judge Clement Haynsworth of the U.S. Court of Appeals.

He was an active and esteemed trial lawyer who navigated a landmark case before the U.S. Supreme Court regarding a criminal defendant’s right to effective counsel. He was a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a founder of the Neighborhood Legal Assistance Program. He embodied the ancient command that the law be not a money-making trade, but a profession.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly Sue; four daughters; four grandchildren; and his brother and sister. He was a proud father and a loyal friend.