Sam Gibbons, a former congressman from Florida, died at the age of 92 on Tuesday night, Oct. 9, at his retirement home in Tampa, Fl.

Gibbons died "peacefully," according to his son Tim Gibbons. The younger Gibbons said he spent time with his father the previous night talking.

"He was fine, there was no indication of anything," said Tim.

Sam Melville Gibbons was born in Tampa on Jan. 20, 1920. He studied at the University of Florida before becoming a paratrooper who landed behind enemy lines in World War II.

The former U.S. representative served a total of 17 terms in Congress after first being elected in 1962. One of Gibbons' most memorable achievements was for driving legislation to create the University of South Florida in the 1950s. The alumni center at the school is named after Gibbon's, and he is known as the "father" of the university.

"If it hadn't been for him, we probably wouldn't have the University of South Florida," said Bob Martinez, former governor of Florida and Tampa's mayor. "And Tampa, to a great degree, is the size it is because of the actions he took as a member of the Florida Legislature. He left quite a government legacy."

Gibbons' name is also on the federal courthouse located in Tampa where he served as a part of the Florida Legislature. Before retiring, Gibbons became the head of the Ways and Means Committee. He ended his reign in Congress at the age of 76 in 1997.

The former congressman was married to Martha Gibbons who did in 2003. He then married Betty Culbreath, who he had known since high school.

Gibbons is survived by his wife as well as sons Tim, Cliff and Mark.