Hugh B. Gilbert DMD

Hugh B. Gilbert, DMD, 86, of Owensboro died Tuesday, May 7, 2013, at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital. He was born in Atlanta, GA, to Hugh Haley and Harriet Morris Gilbert. After the early death of his father he came to Owensboro to live with his half brother and his wife, J. Eugene and Mary Thompson Gilbert. He remained with them until he was 17 years old and considered them to be his parents in every way. Dr. Gilbert spent several weeks each summer in Atlanta with his natural mother and his sister.

He graduated from Owensboro High School in 1943, matriculated into the Georgia Institute of Technology and received an appointment to the United States Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point). Upon graduation from Kings Point he received a BS degree in Marine Transportation and was commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He served with the US Navy during the Korean War and in 1970 he resigned from active status in the Naval Reserve having achieved the rank of Commander, Dental Corp, USNR. After the war he attended Kentucky Wesleyan College before entering into the University of Louisville Dental School where he graduated with a Doctor of Dental Medicine in 1958. Dr. Gilbert entered into private practice in 1958, served on several committees of the Kentucky Dental Association, was President of the Green River Dental Society in 1964, and was national President of the Association of American Dentists in 1973. In 1992 he arranged an associateship with Dr. Russell Settle, and in 1994 he retired after more than 35 years of practice.

Dr. Gilbert was a founding member of Christ Presbyterian Church and in 1990 was elected a ruling elder. He was preceded in death by both his natural parents and the parents who raised him.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Jane Foust Gilbert; children, Leslie Gilbert Moody and her husband David of Murfreesboro, TN, Jennifer Gilbert Richardson and her husband David of Marietta, GA, and Hugh Ripy Gilbert and his wife Carrene of Rancho Cucamonga, CA; grandchildren, Kara Moody, Benjamin Richardson, Schuyler Richardson, Brice Richardson, Frances Gilbert, Michelle Gilbert, and Chris Gilbert; sister, Leslie Gilbert Christy; and several nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday at Christ Presbyterian Church. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory and after 9 a.m. on Friday at the church. Burial will be at sea.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the Christ Presbyterian Church Building Fund, Care Net Pregnancy Center, or Gideons International.