By William P. Davis

Francis “Frank” Wihbey, who worked at the University of Maine’s Fogler Library for more than 30 years, died Tuesday in a hiking accident, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

Wihbey, 65, served as the head of government publications, maps, geographic information systems and microforms, according to a staff member of the library. He retired in October 2009. The staff member called Wihbey an experienced hiker who had logged “hundreds and hundreds of miles on the Appalachian Trail.”

Wihbey likely died of internal injuries after falling more than 100 feet, according to the Union-Tribune. He was reported missing Thursday after he was not on his flight back to Maine. The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department found him on the side of a 300-foot cliff.

Wihbey was in California visiting his daughter, a student at the University of California Riverside, the staff member said.

A gathering will be held in Wihbey’s honor Monday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Wells Conference Center on campus.

http://mainecampus.com/2010/01/15/retired-librarian-dies-in-hiking-accident/?ref=hp