Howard Tibbals, Circus Collector, Model Builder, Philanthropist, Dies In Sarasota

SARASOTA, FL — Howard Tibbals, a philanthropist with a passion for the circus who dedicated his life to preserving the history of the entertainment art form, died Sunday at his Sarasota home from natural causes. He was 85.

His love for the circus inspired his life-long project, creating the Howard Bros. circus model, which is a centerpiece of The Ringling Circus Museum’s Tibbals Learning Center in Sarasota.

He began working on his circus model in 1956, as a freshman in college. For more than 60 years, Tibbals devoted at least 20 hours a week to building pieces for the detailed and historically accurate ¾” scale model of the tented Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus of the early 20th century, according to a news release from The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. The last wagon was added in April of 2021.

He also collected materials documenting circus history for more than 60 years to ensure the historical accuracy of his model circus. The Tibbals Circus Collection includes photographs, posters and other advertising materials, programs, scrapbooks, correspondence, design drawings, costumes, and props as well as more than 2,000 books related to the circus. This collection, which documents all aspects of the circus and other traveling entertainment, is also now held at The Ringling.

“Through his unique passion, vision, and leadership, Howard Tibbals was a key figure in the growth and transformation of The Ringling. His donations established the Circus Museum as the leading center for the preservation and research of the circus in America and his collections attract scholars and artists from around the world. The Howard Bros. Circus Model. and the posters, photographs and other materials in the extraordinary Tibbals Circus Collection are Howard's great legacy and will continue to delight visitors and inspire new generations to learn about the circus in America. I join with our entire community in mourning the loss of this remarkable man,” said Steven High, executive director of The Ringling.

Jennifer Lemmer Posey, Tibbals’ curator of circus, recalls her time working with Tibbals.

“Howard's greatest gift was sharing his passion for circus history. An extraordinary mentor, Howard encouraged me to find my own interests in the subject and enjoyed sharing his knowledge in support of my efforts,” she said. “He was generous in every way. I could not do this work without all that he taught me, and I am grateful for the resources he established at The Ringling to assure that we can continue to inspire a love for the circus and its history.”

Tibbals is survived by his wife Janice, a current member of The Ringling’s Board of Trustees. He is also survived by their children David Tibbals and wife, Karen; Jeff Tibbals; Tim Tibbals and wife, Dawn; Tracey Stansberry and husband, Don; Glenda Gray and husband, Chris; Barry Elkins and wife, Stacey; Betsy Farrell and husband, Peter; and Barsha Saliba. He’s also survived by 16 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by one daughter, Karen Reed.

A service for Tibbals will be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Sarasota at 1661 Main St. There will be a reception immediately after at The Rosemary, located at 411 North Orange Ave.

Interment will take place Saturday, March 26, at Highland Memorial Cemetery in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Memorial contributions can be made to First Baptist Church of Sarasota, Laurel Church of Christ in Knoxville, or The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art.