Robert William Gilbert

Robert William Gilbert (Bob), 67, passed away peacefully in his home in El Dorado Hills, CA, on May 22, 2012 after a long battle with an inoperable brain tumor. Bob was born in Chicago, IL, in 1945 to parents Eileen C. (Walsh) of Chicago Ridge, IL, and Jerome H. Gilbert of Neenah, WI. He was raised in Worth, IL, with his two sisters, Carol Gilbert, now of Anguilla and Gail Krompholz, now of Orinda, CA. Bob is survived by his wife of almost 40 years, Diane (Taylor), and their two daughters Kristine (Krissy) Gilbert of Auburn, CA, and Kathleen (Katie) Webb, and her husband Mike and their children Emma (9) and Patrick (6) of El Dorado Hills, CA, his two sisters, and numerous cousins, sisters- and brothers-in-law and nieces and nephews. Bob earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biological Sciences from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, in 1967, and a Master of Arts in Education from University of California, Berkeley, in 1973. Bob had two distinct and distinguished careers: the first in education and the second with Harley-Davidson Motorcycles. Bob started his career in education in 1967, teaching life science, physical science, and microbiology, and coaching wrestling and swimming, in Kimberly, WI, Hayward, CA, and St. John's Military Academy (Delafield, WI). After moving permanently to California in 1971, Bob had a 25-year career with the Acalanes Union High School District. He taught science, math, and leadership, coached wrestling and cross-country, and led Geology field classes at Del Valle, Miramonte, and Campolindo High Schools. In 1977 Bob became a high school administrator, serving as Assistant Principal and Vice Principal at Campolindo and Miramonte High Schools, before becoming Principal in 1985, at Miramonte High School in Orinda. Under Bob's direction as Principal, Miramonte High School received the National School of Excellence Award twice and the California Distinguished School Award three times. Bob loved working with the motivated and outstanding students and staff at Miramonte, and deeply appreciated the supportive and involved parent community. In 1995, Bob took his life-long passion for motorcycles (he owned a total of 19 over the course of his life!) and turned it into his career. He was General Manager of Bob Dron Oakland Harley-Davidson for 13 years. During that time he directed the expansion of the dealership into a larger facility, and oversaw the formation and startup of Livermore Harley Davidson. When Bob wasn't working he was out on the road on one of his many Harleys. He never needed a reason to ride other than there was a road out there. He logged hundreds of thousands of miles on casual trips and formal rides, including 20 years' worth of "ABC's of Touring" trips, and 18 years of the "Blue Butt" ride. His last big ride, done in October, 2010, just prior to his brain cancer diagnosis, was the "Four Corners" ride: Bob and one riding buddy traveled to Blaine, WA, Madawaska, ME, Key West, FL, and San Ysidro, CA in 20 days (over 10,000 miles!). Included was one day in which they earned the Iron Butt Association "SaddleSore 1000" award by completing 1131 miles in less than 24 hours. Bob was a member of and leader in numerous community and professional organizations including the Association of California School Administrators, Phi Delta Kappa, California Interscholastic Federation, Boy Scouts of America, Orinda and Moraga Rotary Clubs, Harley Owner's Group (HOG), Oakland Motorcycle Club, American Motorcycle Association, and Sierra Road Riders Association. Additionally, he was the Founding Director of Camp Adanca, a summer camp for diabetic youth from Alameda and Contra Costa Counties and a People to People Delegation Leader representing Orinda in the Soviet Union. During retirement Bob volunteered as a docent at the California Auto Museum in Sacramento and was a member of the El Dorado Hills Serrano Men's Book Club. He is remembered for the many lives he influenced as an educator, and for his wit, intelligence, ready smile, willingness to help others, and endless supply of jokes and stories. A memorial service celebrating Bob's life will be held on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at 1:30 p.m. at St. Anselm's Episcopal Church in Lafayette, CA. Donations in Bob's memory may be made to Snowline Hospice, 6520 Pleasant Valley Road, Diamond Springs, CA 95619 (www.snowlinehospice.org) or to the National Brain Tumor Society, 124 Watertown Street, Suite 2D, Watertown, MA 02472 (www.braintumor.org).