Ralph J. Gilbert

Ralph James Gilbert died peacefully after a brief illness surrounded by family on December 1, 2023, in Barrington, IL. He was born March 30, 1929, in Chamberlain, SD to Alva and Mera Gilbert (nee Eno).

Ralph is survived by his children, Rebecca, Theresa, and Grant Gilbert; and grandchildren, Nathan Papa, Adam (Monica) Ganzer, Elle Gilbert and Quinn Gilbert. He was preceded in death by his wife (girl across the street and high school sweetheart in Pierre, SD) of 56-years, Connie (nee Doherty); wife, Mary Hope (nee Hamilton); grandson, Noel Papa; and sisters, Grace Lex, and Joyce Mortison.

He graduated from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis (’51) and was commissioned into the US Air Force. He earned a JD from Georgetown Law (’57) and MBA from Harvard (’60). He was supported by Connie and her nursing career with adventuresome years abroad for the young family in Germany and Libya before settling in Chicago in 1965 to join Baker McKenzie until retirement in 1992. His indomitable spirit, humor, and optimism were maintained through the end. Among his final words, “The future looks good.”

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until funeral mass held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, December 14 at St. Anne Catholic Church, 120 N. Ela Street, Barrington, IL. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Barrington, IL.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to: Thunder Valley Community for the Lakota people, thundervalley.org , PO Box 290, Porcupine, SD 57772