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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Jan 02
RAYMOND HARLAN GILBERT, JR. * '46
No. 15963 * 5 Sep 1924 - 8 Feb 2001
Died in Albuquerque, NM * Cremated, Ashes scattered at his mountain
home and Santa Fe National Cemetery, Santa Fe, NM |
Raymond H Gilbert, Jr. was born in Cincinnati, OH. His father was a
county agent so the family moved often. Ray spent most of his childhood
in small towns in Kentucky. He graduated from Shelbyville, KY High School
in 1942. From high school he spent a year at Kavanaugh Prep School in Lawrenceburg,
KY preparing for his West Point exams. Ray joined the class of 1946 on
the banks of the Hudson on 1 July 1943.
One of Ray's roommates, Granville Hough, recalled Ray as a cadet: "Ray
was the youngest of the three of us and he had an innate curiosity about
airplanes, mechanical devices and remote places. He was able, with minimal
effort to graduate high enough to choose Field Artillery as his branch."
Which he did, joining the Field Artillery as a second lieutenant at graduation.
After basic artillery officer training at Ft. Sill, OK, Ray was assigned
to the 48th Field Artillery in Korea. He then became a training officer
with the fledgling army of the Republic of Korea. He then served with the
School Troops at the Artillery School at Ft Sill. While there, Ray met
and married Gwendolyn Jones on 5 June 1948 at Oklahoma City, OK. The Gilberts
were sent to Fort Bundy, Puerto Rico in 1949 where Ray served with the
504th Field Artillery. Ray returned to the States in 1949 and fulfilled
a long-standing ambition by transferring to the Air Force in 1951.
He graduated from the Air Force Institute of Technology in 1952 and
received a Masters in Political Science from George Washington University
in 1967. This coincided with his graduation from the Air Force War College
at Maxwell Field, AL, number 1 in his class. He moved to Sandia Base, NM
in 1967 in charge of nuclear weapons safety. He later became Deputy Base
Commander of the newly combined Kirtland Air Force Base and then Base Commander.
He remained in this position, the pinnacle of his career, until his retirement
from the Air Force as a Colonel in 1976.
Ray and Gwen remained in Albuquerque, NM after retirement. Ray was
able to do the things he had looked forward to while on active duty. While
at Sandia Base in 1967, one of Ray's friends took him to see his cabin
at White Pine, CO, about 320 miles from Albuquerque at an altitude of 10,000
ft. The minute Ray saw White Pine, he knew he had to have a place there.
He bought an old miner's cabin with three rooms about twelve by thirty
feet and no indoor plumbing. With his ability to work with his hands, Ray
over the years tripled the heated space in the cabin to include all electric
conveniences and indoor plumbing. Ray and Gwen spent a great deal of time
at White Pine and Ray continued to improve it. He even improved the water
system for the entire town. In addition to working on and enjoying his
cabin in CO, Ray was active in Boy Scouts, the Easter Seal Society as well
as being in charge of an income tax assistance program in Albuquerque.
At one point, he was so involved in community volunteer activities that
he felt like he was working full time.
Ray had a stroke in 1996 that left him incapacitated. He died 8 February
2001. Survivors include his wife, Gwendolyn; daughter, Jeanette; son, Raymond
III, sister, Ruth and three grandchildren.
Ray Gilbert touched the lives of many people during his career and
after. Those who knew and loved him remember an outstanding officer, helping
friend and neighbor, loving husband and devoted father.
Longtime friend and neighbor from White Pine, Gerald Hitt, presented
his thoughts at the service for Ray: "I have lost a dear friend. However,
my wife, Lois and I celebrate Ray Gilbert for he is now in the Lord's kingdom."
Another friend from White Pine, Richard Fischer, wrote: "Ray's spirit,
which loves the rugged mountains and the harsh winters, will be there in
White Pine forever. Aus Wiedersehen, old friend."
Ben Corley, long time friend, said: "His training at the US Military
Academy produced an officer and gentleman of the highest caliber. My association
with him enriched my life. I shall always remember this fine man. I miss
him terribly."
His daughter, Jeanette, remembered: "There are two major character
traits that stand out in my mind. His enormous leadership abilities in
anything he did and his great concern for others. He was not one to waste
time or resources. He worked hard all his life and gave his all to any
endeavor he was associated with. I wish more people were like him. Dad,
I salute you for a life well lived."
These are excerpts from Ray III's eulogy: "Dad would like to be remembered
as a humble man who cared about people and fulfilled his responsibilities.
Dad believed by having truth and right on your side you would not be defeated.
His greatest impact on me was that to do something right is its own reward.
Remember Ray Gilbert as a servant."
To these words of love and affection, the Class of 1946 proudly adds
those few words that would mean so much to our classmate: "Well Done, Ray;
Be Thou At Peace!"
'46 Memorial Article Project and his family
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