Benton Gibson Obituary

Benton Michael Gibson, age 86, died at his home in Blythewood, SC, on August 24, 2025. Born in Greenville, SC, he was the son of Benton Mendenhall Gibson and Margaret Langford Gibson. After earning the Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry with honors from Furman University in 1960, he was employed as a chemistry professor at North Greenville University where he worked for two years. He then enrolled at the University of South Carolina where he was awarded the Master of Science degree in 1967. He joined the faculty of Midlands Technical College as a chemistry professor in 1967 and served as department chair for many years. During his tenure at Midlands Tech, Mike was consistently praised for his enthusiasm and dedication to teaching, and for his unquenchable thirst for truth and knowledge. He was an avid reader and was a person of great intellectual curiosity. His early recognition of the value of the computer in teaching resulted in the recognition of the value of the computer in teaching resulted in the design and implementation of to computer labs to support instruction in the math and science departments. Consequently, he served as a consultant for other departments who were interested in incorporating the computer in the instructional process. He was a member of the Instrument Society of America, a Fellow of the American Institute of Chemist, the Association for the Advancement of Computers in Science Teaching, a life-long member of the American Chemical Society, and the Columbia Woodworkers Club. He was a devoted member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Blythewood where he served as treasurer for many years. Indeed, he was instrumental in ensuring the survival of the church through some lean and difficult years. Surviving are his wife, Robyn; and his brother, Mark Langford Gibson, of Las Vegas, Nevada. A Celebration of the Resurrection in memory of Mike will be held at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Blythewood on Friday, August 29, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in the St. Mark's Lutheran Church Cemetery. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family. Memorials may be made to St. Mark's Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 846, Blythewood, SC, 29016.