Ed Gilbert Obituary

Family, friends pay final respects to Hubby's founder

June 29, 2008

By Joe Chapman, Herald staff writer

Passengers on about 30 boats from the Clover Island Yacht Club paid their respects to a lost member and his family Saturday at the spot on the Columbia River where he died.

The family of Ed Gilbert, former owner of Hubby's Pizza in Kennewick, led the flotilla to a blue buoy marking the spot on the river where his boat was struck from behind by another boat two weeks earlier. The family's boat held eight people including Ed's widow, Patricia Gilbert, and two arrangements of flowers.

At the buoy, Gilbert's son-in-law Randy Barnes, a Richland police captain and an assistant church pastor, led the parties on the boats in a prayer over their two-way radios.

Gilbert's son, Monty Gilbert, rang a bell, and bagpipe and piano renditions of Amazing Grace played.

One at a time, each of the yacht club boats approached the family. As each boat passed, its party tossed either flower petals or stones with messages attached into the water.

Some of the people could be heard telling the family messages such as "I love you," and "He's a wonderful man."

Laughter also was heard. Some on the family's boat waved to people they knew.

When all but a few of the boats had passed, the family deposited their own stones, poured bags of petals into the water and hugged each other.

The flower petals could be seen drifting downstream, likely to pass the still unknown location of Gilbert's remains. Divers have made repeated searches for Gilbert's body.

A handful of media and two friends of the Gilberts watched the ceremony from the levy on the Finley side of the river.

"We just wanted to show our respect to the family. He was a great guy," said Lee Klatt, who came from The Dalles, Ore., with his wife, Kay.

"We heard that there was going to be a flotilla this morning, so we decided to come up. We told Pat we'd be on shore here."

Mike Cobb, a friend of the family, spoke on behalf of the Gilberts, saying they appreciated the community support.

"The yacht club and the (Tri-City) country club family especially stepped up," Cobb said. Current and former employees of Hubby's also have reached out to the family in recent days, he said.

"The show of support at the memorial was amazing," Cobb said.

Published by Tri-City Herald from Jun. 30 to Jul. 15, 2008.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Ed Gilbert

Not sure what to say?





To the Gilbert family,
I meet Eddie a long time ago when I was a little child with my father, who is Eddie's cousin. I remember the warmth he showed to everyone. You all have been in my prayers. God bless you all. Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart. I know it is hard to think He knows what is happening, but he is hold us in his arms.

Suzy Crume

July 21, 2008

Sympathy from Our Family to Yours. You are in our prayers and in our hearts. My brother Perry, worked for Ed some years ago...He was a Very WONDERFUL PERSON and will be GREATLY MISSED!!!

J HOULIHAN

July 13, 2008

Dear Monty & your mother,
We are so sorry you have lost your Dad & husband.
He was such a wonderful man & so good to the square dancer's. Putting up with all of our fun at Hubby's and he never stopped smiling!!!
Our heart's go out to your mother, you and the family.

Gene & Mona and all the square dancers.

Gene & Mona Thompson

July 8, 2008

I am praying for your family and we are very sorry for your loss. You will be in our hearts

Victoria Bussell

July 6, 2008

I am so sorry for what you and your family are having to go through right now. There are brighter times ahead. Rev 21:3,4 "he will wipe out every tear from their eye and death with be no more, neither will mourning, nor outcry nor pain be anymore, the former things have passed away." You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Monica E

July 3, 2008

sorry for ur loss. May god be with all the family members. were ever he is he will be in ur hearts.

david & adriana magana

July 2, 2008

I was so sorry to hear of your loss. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help at this time.

Bill Guidice

July 1, 2008

Word's cannot express how much Ed will be missed. It was an honor knowing him. He was a great person. The Gilbert family is in our prayers.

Shaleen, Shane and Kelly O'Leary

July 1, 2008

To the Gilbert family i am so sorry for your loss. Ed will be greatly missed, You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Kayla O'Leary

July 1, 2008

Farewell to one of the great ones. Ed is a role model whose achievements and grace in living are an inspiration.
Thanks to the Good Lord for his contribution.
His legacy lives on.
Dave Moore

Dave Moore

July 1, 2008

I am here!! I am in the sky, the clouds, the trees,and the water. Just close your eyes and I will be there. I will never leave you because I am here and every where you look. Our sincere condulences..

Glenda Richardson

July 1, 2008

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. The Yacht club has lost a valuable member.

Jerry & Lona Augier

July 1, 2008

My condolences.

S Peterson

July 1, 2008

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Gilbert family. God bless you all.

S. P.

July 1, 2008

I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you.

Cathy Mitchell

July 1, 2008

I am sorry for your loss. Ed will be greatly missed. Monty, hang in there honey!!

Becky Tenny

July 1, 2008

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.

Rachel Heaton

July 1, 2008

No words can express the loss we feel for you. I will miss seeing Ed in our store and seeing him go out onto the island in the mornings...

Bill Reitan

June 30, 2008

Gale Brandner

June 30, 2008

Dearest Pat and Family,
I wish to send my Deepest Sympathy and Condolences. I am so thankful to have known Ed. He was the greatest and most loving
husband, father and friend anyone would have been proud to know. He will be missed greatly by all. Pamm (Pat's sister)

Pamm Molnar

June 29, 2008

Our deepiest sympathy and love to your family.

John / Binky / Patty Hurlbert

June 27, 2008

We will miss Ed passing by our boathouse with his friendly hello. We appreciate him loaning us his trailer for a short time many years ago when the club's trailer was tied up. He came to our rescue.

May he be with our Lord for eternity.

Gail & Joe Tarcza

June 26, 2008

My deepest, deepest condolences to the Gilbert family. I met Ed and his wife a few times many years ago due to my friendship with his daughter Kim. At that time it was obvious that they were a warm and loving family, as I'm sure they are now. Ed seemed like a generous, fun-loving family man and will be missed greatly.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Janna Beckett

June 25, 2008

It’s been a great pleasure having Ed and Pat as our boathouse neighbors. I always enjoyed having Ed stop by and getting good advice on ideas to fix things on my boat. The man had a heart of Gold. We will definitely miss that great smile. Our family will miss him very much. Pat, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Mark, Marcy, Brian George

June 25, 2008

I am honored to have known Ed for 27 years. I worked for him when I was 16 for 3 years. I once again returned at 22 and remember Hubby's 10 year anniversary. Through out the years I kept in touch when I stopped in for a pizza. In the summer of 2006 I spent time with Ed and his family on the boat. They are some of my fondest memories. Relaxing, playing cards and laughing. He was kind, honest, funny and sweet all wrapped up into one. The best thing about him was he always had a big hug for me. I'll always love you Ed!

Carol Mercado

June 24, 2008

Carol Mercado

June 24, 2008

Ed always treated me like a "third" daughter and I will miss him. He had a way of making you feel important and loved and took time to really get to know you as a person always looking for your best qualities I was honored to know him and love him. I will truly miss him and am so grateful for the blessing of being his "third" daughter Thank-you Dad Gilbert for all you have done for so many!

Pat Monteith

June 24, 2008

Showing 1 - 27 of 27 results

Make a Donation
in Ed Gilbert's name

Memorial Events
for Ed Gilbert

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

How to support Ed's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Ed Gilbert's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more