Charles E. Gilbert, 91, passed away peacefully at the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital in Columbia, Missouri on September 11, 2022.

Gil was born May 14, 1931 in Carrollton, Missouri, to Berry Elmer and Emma Stollings Gilbert.  He attended Carrollton public schools, graduating in 1949.  He played football and basketball with many future coaches and administrators in the Missouri area.  He met them in many situations in his later life as he traveled throughout the state.

Following high school graduation, he moved to Warrensburg, Missouri, to begin his studies at what was then Central Missouri State College, now the University of Central Missouri.  In 1952, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving four years as photographer of aerial and sea target exercises.  He was stationed on various ships and was based in Guantanamo, Cuba, for four months.  During his service, he played baseball for the naval air station team called the Capitols. This was an experience of a lifetime, which introduced him to Washington D.C. and photography development.  When his tour of duty was complete, he returned to UCM in Warrensburg to finish his B.S. and M.S. in Education.  While at UCM, he met and married his wife, Rosalie, in 1958.

He taught High School Social Sciences in Cameron, Missouri, for four years while maintaining friendships in Warrensburg and around the state.  In 1962, Gil accepted a position at UCM and continued his career as a High School teacher, this time at the University Laboratory High School.  Here he developed warm and lasting friendships with both students and faculty.  Wishing to contribute more knowledge to his student experiences and teach at the university level, he committed his time and focus to obtaining his Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction in Education at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, graduating in 1975.  His teaching experiences at the university level led his college students to developing skills to be outstanding, educated citizens teaching in high schools throughout Missouri. Gil was dedicated to instilling the love of history and participatory citizenship to make the country an educated democracy.  He often said, "if the students aren't having as much fun as I am, I'm not doing my job."

He was an active member of MuATE (Missouri Unit of Association of Teacher Educators), and served in a position as a coordinator of adult education in the state as well.

Gil was preceded in death by his parents, Berry and Emma Gilbert, three brothers, and four sisters.  He is survived by his wife Rosalie of Columbia; daughters: Lisa Furey (Missy Morris) of St. Charles, MO, and Ellen Wickham (Michael Hoeflich) of Lecompton, KS; sons: Barry (Kelly) Gilbert of Columbia, MO, and Darin Gilbert (Kerry Pither) of Littleton, CO; sister: Mary Buhrmester of Carrollton, MO;  eight grandchildren: Fred Wickham, Emily Grevlos, Libby Wickham, Johnathan Furey, Ian Furey, Abigail Gilbert, Finn Gilbert, and Margaux Gilbert.  He will be missed by many nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions can be made to the First United Methodist Church in Warrensburg.

Funeral Arrangements are with Sweeney-Phillips and Holdren Funeral Home. Inurnment will be at Higginsville (MO) Veterans Cemetery.