Obit for retired Va. Marine Corps Col. slams DC-area drivers; he ‘hated’ them

WASHINGTON — He was a Vietnam veteran, a retired Marine Corps colonel, a husband, a father … and his disdain for D.C.-area drivers was so strong it was included in his obituary.

“A native of Northern Virginia for the last 30 years of his life, he hated how all of you were incapable of driving competently,” reads the obit for Col. Robert F. Gibson “Falcon,” 77, who died in Annandale, Virginia, on Dec. 26, 2017.

The obit appeared in Sunday’s edition of The Washington Post.

Gibson’s widow, Barbara, told WTOP’s news partner NBC Washington that her family wanted to capture a part of his daily life.

“It’s a general sentiment a lot of folks have,” she told the station. “He traveled on the Beltway, and traffic is horrendous.”

Gibson spent 30 years serving as an officer in the Marines. He was awarded the Legion of Merit with Gold Star, Bronze Star with Combat Distinguishing Device, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon during his distinguished career.

Arlington National Cemetery confirmed to WTOP that Gibson was laid to rest with full military honors Thursday at 8:45 a.m.

Will Vitka

William Vitka is a Digital Writer/Editor for WTOP.com. He's been in the news industry for over a decade. Before joining WTOP, he worked for CBS News, Stuff Magazine, The New York Post and wrote a variety of books—about a dozen of them, with more to come.

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