Dr. Robert I. Gilbert

Robert Gilbert

Robert Irvine Gilbert was born on June 20, 1915 in Kissimmee, Florida and passed away on August     2017 at his home in Columbus, Mississippi. He was predeceased by his parents, Mabel P. and Fred S. Gilbert, his wife Mary, his sister Anne H. Gilbert, and his brother Fred S. Gilbert, Jr. He is survived by his son Robert I. Gilbert, Jr. of Memphis, Tennessee.

After graduation from the University of Florida in 1942, Dr. Gilbert entered the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant, and in August of that year, he married Mary Hawkins. Landing in France on D Day during the Battle of Brest, his combat experience in World War II would earn him two Bronze Stars. Dr. Gilbert was most proud of his participation in the 1945 liberation of what is now the Czech Republic. Since 1990, he returned there frequently to participate in their Liberation Festival.

Following the war, Dr. Gilbert returned to the University of Florida to earn his master’s degree. Recalled to the army for the Korean War, Captain Gilbert taught Leadership Principles at the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He would later teach at the Army Staff and Command College and remain active in the Army Reserve until he retired as a Lt. Colonel.

After his military service, Robert Gilbert earned a Ph.D. degree in sociology from Florida State University. He spent nearly his entire career as a professor and later department head at Mississippi University for Women. As professor emeritus, Dr. Gilbert was presented the MUW Medal of Excellence. After retirement, he became accredited as a Family Counselor and enjoyed helping clients as he had done for generations of his students.

Dr. Gilbert was a great asset in Columbus civic life. He was active in Rotary International and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was instrumental in the founding of the Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society, was an officer in Town and Gown, and served for many years as scholarship chairman for the MSMS Foundation. He was President of the Mississippi Council of Family Relations. With Dr. James Hunt, he was co-editor of What Is Brave? , a compilation of letters from Mississippi veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, and an officer in the Mississippi chapter of Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge.

A long-time member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Dr. Gilbert served as vestryman, junior, and senior warden. He was a founder of the Church of the Good Shepherd and served as warden there. Widely respected and loved, Robert Gilbert’s life was dedicated to his God, his family, his country, and his community. He was a consummate gentleman who welcomed all as neighbor and friend. His was indeed a life well lived.

Funeral services will be held Monday August 14, 2017 at 12:00 noon at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church with Rev. Anne Harris officiating; burial with U.S. Army Honors will be held Tuesday August 15, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Lott Cemetery in Waycross, GA. Visitation will be held Sunday August 13, 2017 from 5 until 7 at Gunter & Peel Funeral Home

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Mississippi School of Mathematics and Science Foundation, the Columbus Lowndes Humane Society, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, or the Church of the Good Shepherd.