Robert J. Gilbert, 85, Wild Rose, father of a Stevens Point
woman, died Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, at his residence while under the care of
hospice.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15,
at Wild Rose United Methodist Church in Wild Rose, with the Rev. Douglas
Clement officiating. Burial with military rites will be in the Hancock Cemetery
in Hancock.

Visitation will be at the Holly Funeral Home in Wild Rose from
4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, and at the church from 10 a.m. Saturday until the
services.

A memorial fund has been established in his name.

Condolences may be offered online at
www.hollyfuneralhome.com.

Mr. Gilbert was born Jan. 15, 1931, in Hancock, a son of the
late D. Irving and Freda (Abbott) Gilbert. He graduated from Tri-County High
School in 1948.

He studied biology and conservation at Stevens Point
Teachers College, now the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP),
graduating in 1952.

He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and began
his education career teaching soldiers while he was stationed in Germany.

He was married to Mary Ferris April 20, 1953, in Hancock.

He taught sciences and driver’s education in Wild Rose from
1956 to 1990. He earned a Master of Science degree in teaching from UW-Oshkosh
in 1966.

His interest in science and conservation found expression in
their pine tree plantation in Adams County and home garden and orchard.

He was a member of the Inland Bird Banding Association and
banded birds for 30 years.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Gilbert, Wild Rose; five children,
Stephen (Melanie) Gilbert, Rio, Susan (Jeffrey) Gardner, Superior, Margaret
(Gerhardt) Getzin, Wausau, Laura (David) Stertz, Berlin, and Sarah Gilbert,
Stevens Point; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.