Abe Lincoln Lillibridge was born in Pocatello on October 13, 1891, in a home on what is now North Main Street—then still part of the Fort Hall Indian Reservation. As a young man, he worked as a press boy for the Pocatello Tribune, a machinist and draftsman for the railroad, and a pipe fitter for the Pocatello Gas and Power Company. His hands-on expertise led him through a range of mechanical jobs, including building mining equipment and working as a foreman in local machine shops.
During World War I, Lillibridge served in the 346th Field Artillery, 91st Division, reaching the Meuse River front as the war ended. After returning home, he began a long and impactful career at Idaho Technical Institute (now Idaho State University). There, he created everything from oil test demonstrators and road rollers to cranes, hoists, and a 50-ton punch press. He even built two Tesla coils for the Physics Department—each capable of generating about one million volts.
One of his proudest achievements was helping construct the University’s first atom smasher—a five-ton Cyclotron—and preserving a historic locomotive whistle, which was later used to celebrate Bengal football touchdowns. He also played a key role in rebuilding laboratories and campus facilities, leaving a mark on generations of students and faculty.
In his spare time, Lillibridge was a passionate railroad enthusiast who traveled widely to document train operations across Idaho and beyond.
He married Ethel Tolson on June 18, 1919, in Caldwell, Idaho, and together they raised three sons: Eldon, Harold, and Robert. Lillibridge passed away on July 22, 1971, after a long illness. In honor of his legacy, the Nuclear Science Engineering building at Idaho State University was named the Lillibridge Engineering Laboratory Building—a tribute to his decades of service, ingenuity, and devotion to education.