Eric Scott Tibbetts, 52, Sturgis, died Wednesday, October 12, 2011, at the Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Fort Meade Hospice Unit.

Eric was born June 4, 1959, in Portland, OR, to Wendell R. and Phyllis D. (Brought) Tibbetts. He attained his BS from the University of Oregon in 1987 and his MS in education from Pacific University in 2003. Eric was currently working as the Water Superintendent for the City of Sturgis.

Eric served in the US Marine Corp from 1976 to 1977. He later served in the Army National Guard in 1991 and from 1993 to 1995, where he was deployed during the Gulf War.

Eric married Patricia Baker in Portland on September 23, 1998.

Eric was a member of the VFW, the Sturgis Golden K Kiwanis, and was past president of APWA. Eric served as a reserve policeman for the Sturgis police department for several years.

He is survived by his wife, Patty Tibbetts, Sturgis; his mother, Phyllis Nutt, McMinnville, OR; two brothers, Daniel Tibbetts, Portland, and Jason Nutt, Santa Rosa, CA; special son, Joshua Ropa, New York City, NY; special friend, Teresa Ropa, Vancouver, WA; and two nephews, Samuel and Logan Tibbetts, Portland, OR.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Funeral services will be held Monday, October 17, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. at the Believers Fellowship Church in Sturgis with Pastor John Williamson officiating. Burial will be at 12:30 p.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery with military honors provided by the Sturgis Veterans Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the Fort Meade Hospice Center in Eric's name.

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