William Louis Gilbert

It is with deep sorrow the family of William "Bill" Louis Gilbert shares the news of his sudden passing on February 6, 2022 at the age of 76 (Las Cruces, NM). Bill was born July 21, 1945 in Omaha, Nebraska to Louis and Geraldine (Walters) Gilbert. He graduated from Lincoln Southeast High School, received his Bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska, attended Humboldt State University in California for post graduate work, and received his Ph.D. in plants and range sciences from the University of Nebraska. He was employed as a biologist by the U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management from 1976-2006. As a range conservationist, he worked in offices in Price, UT and Susanville, CA and Las Cruces, NM. Bill is survived by his wife Jeanne Harris Gilbert, a marriage of 46 years, and their fur kids Stella and Baby. He is also survived by his brother Dr. Richard Gilbert and partner Donna Rodgers (Santa Cruz, CA), his nephew Ryan Gilbert and partner Ashlan Ritter (Santa Cruz, CA), his niece Kaitlyn Gilbert Keough and husband Geoff Keough (New York, NY) and their children Fletcher and Willa. Bill is further survived by his sister-in-law Jane Harris and wife Marlene Rockwell (Lawrence, KS), his brother-in-law James Goudy (Austin, MN), his niece Thea Goudy Day and partner Morgan Bergstedt (Ranier, MN). In addition, he is survived by his sister-in-law Evelyn Rosenbach Gilbert (Hollywood, FL), and his aunt Lucille Walters Wolf (Medford, OR) and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his brother Joel Gilbert and father Dr. Louis W. Gilbert and mother Geraldine Walters Gilbert. Bill was an advocate for others, a kind and altruistic man who cared deeply about his family and friends. His humble nature was reflected in the behind-the-scenes manner he helped others, doing so much without recognition. He felt a great affinity to nature, plants, and animals as demonstrated by his generosity to environmental charities and his loyal care of backyard wildlife that included songbirds and his tribe of desert box turtles. His interests included hiking, reading, philosophy, research, animal welfare, and following the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team. In preserving Bill's memory, we recall the words of Indian poet and essayist Rabindranath Tagore "He who wants to do good knocks at the gate; he who loves finds the gate open." Family and friends who wish to make a memorial contribution may send it to Broken Promises (www.bestfriends.org) or the Southwest Environmental Center (www.wildlifeforall.us) or the Nature Conservancy (www.nature.org). A celebration of life will be held at a later time.