On Monday, March 9, 2020, Ray Leon “Skip” Gilbert, age 86, longtime resident of Bethesda, MD and loving father and grandfather transitioned to his eternal resting place.
Born in Stamford Connecticut, May 8, 1933 to single mother Ruth Smith Gilbert. Skip was a very bright child who excelled at Rye Grammar School in Port Chester, NY and graduated at the top of his class from Rye High School in 1951. He attended Cornell University, on a full scholarship completing his Bachelors of Science Degree in Industrial Management in 1955, a feat that very few African Americans were able to accomplish, particularly in his time.
Skip entered the United States Army, as an officer and proudly served his country, while being stationed in Paris, France from 1955 to 1957.
His first position after the military was with Radio Corporation of America (RCA) where he worked in their Missile & Surface Radar Division from 1959 to 1962. He later transitioned to the John Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab where he worked from 1962 to 1966, being honored for his work on creating the first-ever heart pacemaker. He then took his financial insight and expertise to IBM World Trade in New York City from 1966 to 1970. Following a short-term position at the United States Department of Labor, Skip was promoted to the Director of Appropriations at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), where he worked 22 years until his well-deserved retirement in 1995.
Skip’s many accomplishments are too numerous to name. Just a few of his most notable include heading up the team responsible for the invention of the Miracle Ear playing an integral part of the team that developed the lens for the Hubble telescope. In 1990, he was inducted into the Space Foundation’s Space Technology Hall of Fame. This is the highest honor recognizing the scientists, engineers, and innovators, responsible for the creation of life-changing technologies emerging from global space programs.
On November 2, 1965, he married Joan Dorsey. Their ceremony was both elegant and humble. He welcomed Joan’s two children into his life. In 1974, they welcomed their first and only daughter into the world, April Alison Gilbert. Though they formally divorced after 20 years of marriage, in 1985, they remained close friends until the day of his passing.
In his last years, Skip was enamored with his only grandchild, Dallas, who affectionately called him “Pop Pop”. The two would spend precious moments together laughing as Dallas would help him feel comfortable and loved. He also was especially close with his stepson, Stephen Dorsey, who was one of his dearest companions, helping to care for him through the stages of his progressive blindness.
Skip will be remembered for his unabashed ways. He had a voracious appetite and a passion for running. His hours-long runs were a frequent habit that continued even through his mid-70s. He was unapologetic and also admired for his brash sense of humor, his frugal spending, his no-filter way of telling it like it was, and his incredible intellectual wit. To relax, Skip would take long walks at Assateague Island, visit the California coast with friends, or travel to his farm and ski lodge in Vermont.
Skip is survived by his daughter April A. Gilbert, grandson, Dallas J. Gilbert, ex-wife Joan Gilbert, and many other friends and extended family.
A Memorial Service will be held at North Bethesda United Methodist Church, 10100 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD, at a later date. Interment private at Parklawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to his favorite nonprofit organization, Mercy Ships (www.mercyships.org) to help support them in their mission to provide free, life-changing surgeries to the world’s poorest citizens.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Raymond Leon "Skip" Gilbert please visit our Tribute Store.
Born in Stamford Connecticut, May 8, 1933 to single mother Ruth Smith Gilbert. Skip was a very bright child who excelled at Rye Grammar School in Port Chester, NY and graduated at the top of his class from Rye High School in 1951. He attended Cornell University, on a full scholarship completing his Bachelors of Science Degree in Industrial Management in 1955, a feat that very few African Americans were able to accomplish, particularly in his time.
Skip entered the United States Army, as an officer and proudly served his country, while being stationed in Paris, France from 1955 to 1957.
His first position after the military was with Radio Corporation of America (RCA) where he worked in their Missile & Surface Radar Division from 1959 to 1962. He later transitioned to the John Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab where he worked from 1962 to 1966, being honored for his work on creating the first-ever heart pacemaker. He then took his financial insight and expertise to IBM World Trade in New York City from 1966 to 1970. Following a short-term position at the United States Department of Labor, Skip was promoted to the Director of Appropriations at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), where he worked 22 years until his well-deserved retirement in 1995.
Skip’s many accomplishments are too numerous to name. Just a few of his most notable include heading up the team responsible for the invention of the Miracle Ear playing an integral part of the team that developed the lens for the Hubble telescope. In 1990, he was inducted into the Space Foundation’s Space Technology Hall of Fame. This is the highest honor recognizing the scientists, engineers, and innovators, responsible for the creation of life-changing technologies emerging from global space programs.
On November 2, 1965, he married Joan Dorsey. Their ceremony was both elegant and humble. He welcomed Joan’s two children into his life. In 1974, they welcomed their first and only daughter into the world, April Alison Gilbert. Though they formally divorced after 20 years of marriage, in 1985, they remained close friends until the day of his passing.
In his last years, Skip was enamored with his only grandchild, Dallas, who affectionately called him “Pop Pop”. The two would spend precious moments together laughing as Dallas would help him feel comfortable and loved. He also was especially close with his stepson, Stephen Dorsey, who was one of his dearest companions, helping to care for him through the stages of his progressive blindness.
Skip will be remembered for his unabashed ways. He had a voracious appetite and a passion for running. His hours-long runs were a frequent habit that continued even through his mid-70s. He was unapologetic and also admired for his brash sense of humor, his frugal spending, his no-filter way of telling it like it was, and his incredible intellectual wit. To relax, Skip would take long walks at Assateague Island, visit the California coast with friends, or travel to his farm and ski lodge in Vermont.
Skip is survived by his daughter April A. Gilbert, grandson, Dallas J. Gilbert, ex-wife Joan Gilbert, and many other friends and extended family.
A Memorial Service will be held at North Bethesda United Methodist Church, 10100 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD, at a later date. Interment private at Parklawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to his favorite nonprofit organization, Mercy Ships (www.mercyships.org) to help support them in their mission to provide free, life-changing surgeries to the world’s poorest citizens.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Raymond Leon "Skip" Gilbert please visit our Tribute Store.
On Monday, March 9, 2020, Ray Leon “Skip” Gilbert, age 86, longtime resident of Bethesda, MD and loving father and grandfather transitioned to his eternal resting place.
Born in Stamford Connecticut, May 8, 1933 to single mother Ruth Smith Gilbert. Skip was a very bright child who excelled at Rye Grammar School in Port Chester, NY and graduated at the top of his class from Rye High School in 1951. He attended Cornell University, on a full scholarship completing his Bachelors of Science Degree in Industrial Management in 1955, a feat that very few African Americans were able to accomplish, particularly in his time.
Skip entered the United States Army, as an officer and proudly served his country, while being stationed in Paris, France from 1955 to 1957.
His first position after the military was with Radio Corporation of America (RCA) where he worked in their Missile & Surface Radar Division from 1959 to 1962. He later transitioned to the John Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab where he worked from 1962 to 1966, being honored for his work on creating the first-ever heart pacemaker. He then took his financial insight and expertise to IBM World Trade in New York City from 1966 to 1970. Following a short-term position at the United States Department of Labor, Skip was promoted to the Director of Appropriations at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), where he worked 22 years until his well-deserved retirement in 1995.
Skip’s many accomplishments are too numerous to name. Just a few of his most notable include heading up the team responsible for the invention of the Miracle Ear playing an integral part of the team that developed the lens for the Hubble telescope. In 1990, he was inducted into the Space Foundation’s Space Technology Hall of Fame. This is the highest honor recognizing the scientists, engineers, and innovators, responsible for the creation of life-changing technologies emerging from global space programs.
On November 2, 1965, he married Joan Dorsey. Their ceremony was both elegant and humble. He welcomed Joan’s two children into his life. In 1974, they welcomed their first and only daughter into the world, April Alison Gilbert. Though they formally divorced after 20 years of marriage, in 1985, they remained close friends until the day of his passing.
In his last years, Skip was enamored with his only grandchild, Dallas, who affectionately called him “Pop Pop”. The two would spend precious moments together laughing as Dallas would help him feel comfortable and loved. He also was especially close with his stepson, Stephen Dorsey, who was one of his dearest companions, helping to care for him through the stages of his progressive blindness.
Skip will be remembered for his unabashed ways. He had a voracious appetite and a passion for running. His hours-long runs were a frequent habit that continued even through his mid-70s. He was unapologetic and also admired for his brash sense of humor, his frugal spending, his no-filter way of telling it like it was, and his incredible intellectual wit. To relax, Skip would take long walks at Assateague Island, visit the California coast with friends, or travel to his farm and ski lodge in Vermont.
Skip is survived by his daughter April A. Gilbert, grandson, Dallas J. Gilbert, ex-wife Joan Gilbert, and many other friends and extended family.
A Memorial Service will be held at North Bethesda United Methodist Church, 10100 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD, at a later date. Interment private at Parklawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to his favorite nonprofit organization, Mercy Ships (www.mercyships.org) to help support them in their mission to provide free, life-changing surgeries to the world’s poorest citizens.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Raymond Leon "Skip" Gilbert please visit our Tribute Store.
Born in Stamford Connecticut, May 8, 1933 to single mother Ruth Smith Gilbert. Skip was a very bright child who excelled at Rye Grammar School in Port Chester, NY and graduated at the top of his class from Rye High School in 1951. He attended Cornell University, on a full scholarship completing his Bachelors of Science Degree in Industrial Management in 1955, a feat that very few African Americans were able to accomplish, particularly in his time.
Skip entered the United States Army, as an officer and proudly served his country, while being stationed in Paris, France from 1955 to 1957.
His first position after the military was with Radio Corporation of America (RCA) where he worked in their Missile & Surface Radar Division from 1959 to 1962. He later transitioned to the John Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab where he worked from 1962 to 1966, being honored for his work on creating the first-ever heart pacemaker. He then took his financial insight and expertise to IBM World Trade in New York City from 1966 to 1970. Following a short-term position at the United States Department of Labor, Skip was promoted to the Director of Appropriations at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), where he worked 22 years until his well-deserved retirement in 1995.
Skip’s many accomplishments are too numerous to name. Just a few of his most notable include heading up the team responsible for the invention of the Miracle Ear playing an integral part of the team that developed the lens for the Hubble telescope. In 1990, he was inducted into the Space Foundation’s Space Technology Hall of Fame. This is the highest honor recognizing the scientists, engineers, and innovators, responsible for the creation of life-changing technologies emerging from global space programs.
On November 2, 1965, he married Joan Dorsey. Their ceremony was both elegant and humble. He welcomed Joan’s two children into his life. In 1974, they welcomed their first and only daughter into the world, April Alison Gilbert. Though they formally divorced after 20 years of marriage, in 1985, they remained close friends until the day of his passing.
In his last years, Skip was enamored with his only grandchild, Dallas, who affectionately called him “Pop Pop”. The two would spend precious moments together laughing as Dallas would help him feel comfortable and loved. He also was especially close with his stepson, Stephen Dorsey, who was one of his dearest companions, helping to care for him through the stages of his progressive blindness.
Skip will be remembered for his unabashed ways. He had a voracious appetite and a passion for running. His hours-long runs were a frequent habit that continued even through his mid-70s. He was unapologetic and also admired for his brash sense of humor, his frugal spending, his no-filter way of telling it like it was, and his incredible intellectual wit. To relax, Skip would take long walks at Assateague Island, visit the California coast with friends, or travel to his farm and ski lodge in Vermont.
Skip is survived by his daughter April A. Gilbert, grandson, Dallas J. Gilbert, ex-wife Joan Gilbert, and many other friends and extended family.
A Memorial Service will be held at North Bethesda United Methodist Church, 10100 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD, at a later date. Interment private at Parklawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to his favorite nonprofit organization, Mercy Ships (www.mercyships.org) to help support them in their mission to provide free, life-changing surgeries to the world’s poorest citizens.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Raymond Leon "Skip" Gilbert please visit our Tribute Store.
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