Art Spirit Gallery owner Steve Gibbs, center, shares a laugh with John Thamm, left, and Mark Johnstone during an art opening at the gallery in Coeur d’Alene on Friday, Sept., 9, 2016. Gibbs died Saturday at the age of 64. (Kathy Plonka/SR photo)

Steve Gibbs, longtime owner of The Art Spirit Gallery in downtown Coeur d’Alene, died Saturday afternoon. He was 64.

Gibbs, who had been making plans to retire after running his gallery for 20 years, was diagnosed with ALS in June. The degenerative neuromuscular disease is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Artist Sheila Evans said she got word Saturday morning that Gibbs had entered hospice care.

“It hit him so hard,” she said. “I’m surprised at how fast it went. I know that it can go more slowly for people.”

He talked about the disease with a Spokesman-Review reporter this past fall, when he was still getting around fairly well with a cane. He went on a late summer camping trip and even went zip lining for the first time, even as he made plans for his gallery to continue without him.

“I want to keep this place going and keep art and community strong in downtown Coeur d’Alene,” Gibbs said at the time/Nina Culver, SR. More here.

Question: How were you affected by Steve's life and passion for the arts?