William Carson Gilbert

William Carson Gilbert died on February 28, 2017 in San Clemente, California after a long illness. He was the son of William Wayne and Margaret Leola Price Gilbert formerly of Schenectady. William Gilbert, nicknamed "Pete" was born 4 May 1935 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a BSEE degree, specializing in electronics. He also did graduate work at U.C.L.A. Pete married Gail Mary Gartin, daughter of James Woodruff and Alice Carlson Gartin of Schenectady, New York. They were married on July 5, 1975 at the Bel Air Presbyterian church in Los Angeles. Pete began his career with General Electric in the Management Training Program. He had already served two years in the navy at the Naval Research Lab at Chesapeake Beach, Md. He next joined Sperry Gyroscope working on communications where he completed extensive training in the Terrier Radar and Sergeant Missile Systems., He moved with Sperry to Salt Lake City, and then to California subsequently spending five years working as a Field Engineer for the camera systems for the SR71 and A12 (the Blackbiird project – the U2's early successor) in Area 51 at Groom Lake, Nevada a position for which he held top secret clearance. He then spent a year in Viet Nam during that conflict working on communication systems for the Army at Cam Ranh Bay, S. Viet Nam, leaving hurriedly as the base was bombarded. Returning to the states, he lived with his sister in MA. Then, with his beloved Porsche, he returned to UCLA to direct his career to digital electronics, then working for computer companies, Wangco, Microdata, Sperry, Honeywell, Interstate Electronics and Sun Microsystems as a Quality Test Engineer specializing in the area of ATE for which he received certification from UCI in 1987. He was a member of the American Society of Test Engineers. He felt fortunate to experience the enormous growth of defense and computer electronics during his career. 'Pete' was a terrific and graceful skier since childhood. He was an avid tennis player all his life. He taught tennis summers at Matt Mann's tennis Camp. In high school he acted and sang (Baritone) in several musicals and plays; in college he was a soloist with the famed Michigan Glee Club. He was also an enthusiastic member of the Michigan Marching band, performing at the Big 10 football games with his cornet. He was an active member of Theta Chi fraternity. William C. Gilbert's wife Gail, died in 2005. He was also predeceased by a brother, James Stephen Gilbert. He is survived by his son, James W. Gilbert; a sister, Fran (Wiley) Osborn; three step brothers, Dr. John Welch, Dr. Andy Welch, and Peter Welch; his brother-in-law, James C. Gartin; niece, Susan Baskin and nephew, Bill Osborn. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral service on Saturday morning, March 11, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the Jones Funeral Home, 1503 Union St., (at McClellan St.), Schenectady with the Rev. Michael R. Alford officiating. A calling hour will be held on Saturday from 10 a.m. at the funeral home for those who wish to call. Burial will be in Memory Gardens, Colonie NY. Memorial contributions may be made to the Salus Homecare Hospice Program, 630 Roosevelt, Irvine, CA 92620, or the Alzheimer's Association. To leave condolences for Pete's family, please visit www.jonesfh.net.