December 11, 2025 (Falls Church, VA) The International Chiropractors Association (ICA)
announces the passing of two leaders – men who leave a legacy of service, advocacy and
dedication to both the ICA and chiropractic in general – Dr. Hugo V. Gibson and Mr. Ronald M.
Hendrickson.

Dr. Hugo V. Gibson joined the ICA in 1969 as a Student at Palmer Chiropractic College, Davenport, Iowa. He was active in ICA throughout his lifetime. Dr. Gibson served as a member of the Representative Assembly before joining the ICA Board where he would be selected by President George Curry to serve as ICA Chairman of the Board.  He further contributed as President of the Fellows of the ICA and Faculty Sponsor of the Student ICA. In 2004, Dr. Gibson was the first recipient of the Dr. Fred Barge Memorial Award of the Loyal Legion of Chiropractic Philosophers. In 2006 Dr. Gibson received both the Teacher of the Year and the Faculty Clinician of the Year at Cleveland College. In 2016, Dr. Gibson was honored with the ICA Herbert Ross Reaver Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2019, elected as the ICA Doctor of the Year. 

He was licensed to practice in the state of Missouri and registered to practice in South Africa, the nation of his birth. For 20 years, Dr. Gibson served as a Professor at Cleveland Chiropractic College and the Chairman of the Principles and Practices Department for 7 of those years.  Not only was Dr. Gibson a leader in chiropractic, he was also a leader in his local communities both in South Africa and in the United States and incorporated his personal interests and talents.  From leadership in rugby, scouting, and motorsports to opera and the Lions Club.

ICA President, Dr. Joe Betz stated, “Hugo was a profound role model in my professional journey and an inspiration to an entire generation of chiropractors. His influence, passion, and dedication will continue to live on through all those he taught and inspired.”

Dr. Gibson is survived by his beloved wife Judy, his four children, Dr. Hugo Michael Gibson, Dr. Donald Joshua Gibson, Richard Bartlett Gibson and Ellen Margaret Gibson.   The family has stated that a celebration of life service will be announced in the spring/summer of 2026.  

Ronald M. Hendrickson came to work with the ICA in the early 1980s, bringing to the organization extensive Washington, DC credentials.  These included service as a Special Assistant to Ambassador Averill Harriman, US State Department, staff work in the US Congress as an aide to US Senators from Louisiana and Minnesota,  and service at the federal administrative level as Deputy Assistant of Secretary of Agriculture under President Jimmy Carter. Ron received his academic training at the undergraduate level from the George Washington University and conducted his postgraduate studies at the London School of Economics and at Johns Hopkins University.  

Having received his first adjustment on the night of his birth, Ron brought to the ICA his passion for the profession as well as strong executive management and writing skills.  Ron may be best remembered for his role as the key coordinator of ICA’s long relationship with global superstar Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the annual sports event ICA hosted thousands of Doctors of Chiropractic, students and other professionals from around the world over the decades prior to COVID.

Another hallmark of Ron’s work with the ICA was his dedication to emergency relief efforts. From working in the orphanages of Romania after the fall of the Ceaușescu government in that Eastern European nation to setting up chiropractic volunteers on the grounds of the US Pentagon and Ground Zero in New York after the attacks of September 11, 2001, to take care of recovery workers.  Working behind the scenes, Ron was instrumental in creating the sleep science platform at the ICA, building international relationships from this platform and advancing discussions on chiropractic education globally. After his beloved wife, Dr. Coralee Van Egmond passed, he was instrumental in establishing the Dr. Coralee Van Egmond Scholarship Fund, which continues today at the ICA.  

Dr. Joe Betz stated, “Ron’s unwavering commitment to chiropractic, his deep respect for its history, and his tireless advocacy for its future helped preserve the integrity of our mission through times of both challenge and opportunity. Ron was more than an administrator—he was a steward of our values, a guardian of our traditions, and a mentor to generations of chiropractors who benefited from his leadership.”

Upon his retirement in 2019, Ron continued as a consultant to the ICA to prepare the 100^th Anniversary book draft documenting ICA history.  This book will be published in 2026.  

Ron is survived by his two sons.  Plans to honor Ron are in development and will be shared when finalized by his family.