The Russell CollectionS
William, Jason Hubbard, Jason, Jason, Jason, Jesse, Augustus, Ella
Oscar Augustus (Gus) Lybecker
1887-1964
%20Lybecker%201887-1974.jpg)
Profile/Bio
Occupation:
Gus,
1910: Teacher in County School (re: federal census)
1920: Farming (re: federal census)
1930: Gus, High School Teacher. Bess, School Teacher
1940: Superintendent of Pomeroy Schools and teacher (re:federal census)
1946: Principal of High School (re: draft registration card)
1955-59,61: 4 terms as Republican State Representative
legislator for Asotin, Columbia and Garfield counties
Civil Defense Director for Garfield County
Bess,
Teacher in State of Washington (re: delayed Certificate of Birth)
​
Education:
Gus,
Washington State University--master's degree in education.
EWSC (EWU)
Degree in Law, UW, Class of 1913
Bess,
Student Graduate (re: marriage license)
​
Religious affiliation:
Congregational Church
​
Physical:
Heart Attack
Oscar Augustus "Gus" Lybecker
1887-1974
Oscar Augustus Lybecker, also called Gus by his family, was third to be born to Ella and Carl Lybecker in 1887. His family just made the big move to Washington from California when he was born. Six more children were born after he was.
Gus’s family was very musical and he was part of the family’s musical group, singing in many occasions. They also had a very big vision for education. This was the line that he followed. He went to school and had 5 years of college.
When Gus met and married Bess, they started out by farming. In 1920, they had their own farm, but by 1930, he had three children and he was a high school teacher. Bess, his wife was also a school teacher.
The 1940 Census found him as a superintendent of the Pomeroy Schools, which he continued for twenty-one years.
There is a sign at the football field that says, "Lybecker Field, Home of the Pirates". If you were at a game, you would hear, "Good evening football fans! Welcome to the Lybecker Field, home of the Pomeroy Pirates!" Gus, along with many others, was instrumental in raising money and working countless hours to add lights to the football field. It is truly fitting that the football field was named after him. "A little extra on Mr. Lybecker. He hired Mr. Mearns Gates to be a teacher at Pomeroy High School and Mr. Gates became the father of John Gates, the Voice of the Pomeroy Pirates. John has been the announcer of Pomeroy football for 54 years at Lybecker Field!"
​
He retired from the school in 1953 and joined a newly formed business, Christensen-Rauch, which was establishing a community antenna system for television in Pomeroy.
Gus was then elected Republican State Representative for the 10th District Legislative seat in 1954 and was reelected three more times.
​
Gus had been active in civic affairs and at the time of his death, he was the Civil Defense Director for Garfield County.
Gus died in February, 1964 at 77 years old. Ten years later, Bess died in October of 1974 at the age of 85 years old.
From the Garfield County Museum ~ Part 3🌸
​
Have you noticed the sign at the football field that says, "Lybecker Field, Home of the Pirates"? Maybe you have been at a football game and heard the Voice of the Pomeroy Pirates say, "Good evening football fans! Welcome to Lybecker Field, home of the Pomeroy Pirates!" Have you ever wondered where the name came from? Although many of the old timers around here do know that information, we realize that it may be time to share it with the rest of you.
​
Gus Lybecker was born in Plaza, WA. on August 24, 1887. He attended the UW, EWSC (EWU), and then WSU where he received his master's degree in education. He was in education for 41 years. He started out in Anatone, where he became superintendent. He married Bess Hostetler, of Anatone, in Asotin on Nov. 25, 1915 and they had three children: Kathleen (who married Burton Davis), Margaret (Jay Swanson) and Norman Lybecker.
From there, he headed to Pomeroy and was the superintendent for 21 years. Mr. Lybecker, along with many others, was instrumental in raising money and working countless hours to add lights to the football field. It is truly fitting that the football field was named after him.
He retired from the school in 1953 and joined a newly formed business, Christensen-Rauch, which was establishing a community antenna system for television in Pomeroy. He was elected to the 10th District Legislative seat in 1954 and was reelected three more times. Gus was active in many civic affairs as well. He passed away on February 14, 1964 and Bess passed away on Oct. 29, 1974.
​
A little extra on Mr. Lybecker. He hired Mr. Mearns Gates to be a teacher at Pomeroy High School and Mr. Gates became the father of John Gates, the Voice of the Pomeroy Pirates. John has been the announcer of Pomeroy football for 54 years at Lybecker Field!
TIDBITS:
​
Mr. Lybecker taught my Latin class. Yes, Latin was offered at one time at PHS.
​
I remember Mr Lybecker coming into our grade school rooms and showing how he could add many columns it figures...I for one could not figure out how he could do this
Christmas 1969
Back row: Burton(47), Wayne(25), Norman(22), Gary(16), Janet (19), Kathleen (46)
Front row: Dollie Davis (76)(Wayne’s mother), David (10), Mitchell Wayne (4 mo), Sharon (26) (Wayne’s wife), Ellen (6), Bess (Kathleen’s mother)
Courtesy of Wallace Russell
