Dr. Tom Bibey, author of The Mandolin Case, passed away on Sunday following a lengthy struggle with cancer. He was a prolific writer on things bluegrass, with his own web site, Stories of the Bluegrass Music Road. He had also been a contributor to The Bluegrass Blog.
Bluegrass folks knew him as Dr. Tom, but Bibey was a pseudonym he used in the music world. His given name was Bobby Jones, and his medical patients knew him as Bob, Jr. His father had also been a medical doctor in western North Carolina, and Bob, Jr. continued his dad’s tradition of the “country doctor,” seeing patients outside of office hours, and treating them for what they could afford to pay.
Dennis Jones, technical director and bluegrass radio host at WNCW, was a family friend, and offered this lovely remembrance.
“His love of bluegrass, it’s community and culture ran as deep as mine. Bob’s band, Flint Hill, included Earl Scrugg’s brother Horace on guitar. They played in Studio-B many times, even sharing tracks for our fundraising CDs.
Bob loved playing at jams and on stage, playing golf, doing charity work all over, and going to music festivals. He thrived and reveled in being part of the bluegrass world; seeing him at a large festival and working the crowd was uplifting to me. His counsel was a great treasure to me and his family a Blessing.
His dear wife Marta, children and now grandbaby were the center of his life. He was a true family man, and his love of God first and foremost was what Bob was about.
The bluegrass community has lost a passionate man who cared deeply about its future, and took time to mentor young pickers like the Moore Brothers. I’ll miss his phone calls and FaceBook postings on Sunday mornings most I think. His encouragement was priceless. That, and his broad smile and wonderful laugh.
I’ve lost a brother, but I know one day we will be able to laugh together again and visit with the bluegrass heros we talked so much about.”
R.I.P. Dr. Tom.
