1980s

Simon David John Hibber­son ’83

Simon David John Hibber­son ’83, an accounting firm executive, was born on Feb.16, 1962, in Zambia, Africa. The son of David J. ­Hibberson, an engineer, and the former Marjorie A. Land, British subjects, he and his family moved to the United States from England in 1968 when he was 6 years old. They became U.S. citizens while residing in Holliston, Mass. In 1976, the family relocated to Edison, N.J., where Simon Hibberson, also known as Si, was graduated in 1979 from John P. Stevens High School. He enrolled at Hamilton that fall and joined Psi Upsilon.

An enthusiastic hockey player since his arrival in the U.S. as a boy, Si Hibberson took to the ice with a private club while in high school and became its captain as well as most valuable player. He also played soccer as goalie. At Hamilton, he went out for both varsity sports, becoming a center on the hockey team and goalie in soccer. And on occasion he could be seen with his Psi U brothers at Don’s Rok or the Village Tavern. He concentrated in government and left the ­College with his diploma in 1983.

The following year, Si ­Hibberson acquired an M.B.A. degree in professional accounting from Rutgers University and began his career with the Arthur Andersen accounting firm in New York City. He was a senior auditor with that firm until 1989, when he joined Dun & Bradstreet, at its headquarters in Manhattan, as an accounting research and special projects manager. On Nov. 10, 1990, he and Sheila Ford were married, and they took up residence in Hoboken, N.J. In 1996, Si went to work for the giant accounting firm Ernst & Young and became director of finance for its national office.

Si Hibberson, an ardently dedicated New Jersey Devils fan and season-ticket holder to its hockey games, also enjoyed playing golf as well as boating and water-skiing. A devoted Hamiltonian, he most recently resided in Springfield, N.J.

Simon D. J. Hibberson died on July 3, 2014, while hospitalized in Summit, N.J., following a brief illness. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his companion of recent years, Rosemary ­Rosencrans. Also surviving are a son, Andrew D., and a daughter, Jamie R. Hibberson, born of his marriage to Sheila Ford, as well as a sister, Sarah Hrudowsky. The family has suggested ­donations to the College in Si Hibberson’s memory.

 

Irfan Ahmed Malik ’89

Irfan Ahmed Malik ’89, a highly regarded writer and editor in his native Pakistan, was born in Karachi on Sept. 19, 1965. The youngest child of Ahmed Hussain Malik and Anwar Begam, he applied to Hamilton from Karachi Grammar School and arrived on the Hill in 1984. He concentrated in English, focusing on creative writing and minored in theatre, and was graduated in 1989.

Irfan Malik returned to Karachi, where he entered the field of journalism and soon established himself as “a bright star and stalwart.” Sub-editor of the literary page of The Star, he encouraged young voices to express themselves. In The Herald, a monthly magazine, he wrote extensively on politics and sports, and groomed many aspiring writers. Most of his later career was spent in the editorial section of the Dawn Media Group, a collection of news­papers. As a copy editor, he exercised a distinctive wit and an extraordinary eye for detail. A highly talented writer and at times a merciless critic, he had “unparalleled command of the English language.” Most of all, as a close friend and colleague remembers, “he was a rebel who was passionate about fighting against what he saw as the unjust status quo.”

Irfan Malik became known for “his dazzling, and often scathing, features and editorials,” frequently in defense of the underdog. His compassionate commitment extended to animals, for which he had tremendous love, and especially for his two Labradors. As for sports, cricket was a particular passion, and he often took in matches at the National Stadium in Karachi.

Irfan Malik, long afflicted with multiple health problems and their complications, died in a Karachi hospital on April 7, 2014. In addition to his mother, he leaves his devoted sister, Tahira Qureshi, who cared for him in his final days, as well as two brothers.