"His first love was native trees and we'd go bush walking and tramping. We did most of the Great Walks. He didn't let his blindness stop him.
"Tramping we were slower than everyone else but it didn't stop him from doing it."
Dr Kibblewhite was born very short-sighted and, from 1997, gradually lost his sight. He and his guide dog Taupo hit the headlines in 2003 when they had to be rescued from the Tongariro Crossing after Taupo became ill from poison.
Dr Kibblewhite was awarded an MBE in 1993 for his research on wood fibre and kraft pulp. He was regarded as the world's leading researcher on the forms of wood fibre from radiata pine.
"He was probably the most amazing scientist Scion and Rotorua has ever had," said Dr Russell Burton, Scion research and investment general manager.
"He was internationally regarded. He was the person who helped us get radiata pine on the map in terms of a species for producing high quality paper. He was a significant part of that team and radiata pine is what has been driving Norske Skog and Carter Holt Harvey pulp and paper.
"He was a character, a fantastic mentor of young staff."
Dr Burton said Dr Kibblewhite started at what was originally the Forest Research Institute way back in 1968 and retired in 2009.
In retirement he helped raise funds for the Red Puppy Appeal, took on the secretary role at the Bay of Plenty Trailer Yacht Squadron, started gardening and took his grandchildren on expeditions.
He and Mrs Kibblewhite also travelled extensively, including to the Subantarctic Islands.
He is survived by his wife, three daughters, two stepsons, seven grandchildren and guide dog Enzo.
