Gilbert L. Adrian

1928 - 2014

Gilbert L. Adrian 1928-2014

Hastings resident Gilbert L. Adrian, 85, passed away Tuesday, March 25, 2014 in University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

Funeral service were held Saturday, March 29, 2014 at French Memorial Chapel on the Hastings College Campus in Hastings with Dr. William Nottage-Tacey and Dr. Lee R. Wigert officiating.  Burial was at Parkview Cemetery in Hastings.  DeWitt Funeral Home in Hastings was in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be given to Gilbert Adrian Biology Scholarship.

Condolences can be left at dewittfuneral.com

Gilbert L. Adrian was born August 20, 1928 in Wilroads, Kansas, the son of Glenn and Ina (Lewis) Adrian.  He grew up in Dodge City, Kansas and entered the U.S. Navy in 1945.  Gilbert retired from the U.S. Military at Offutt Air-Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska with over 43 years total service.  He served in both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army and was wounded twice during the Korean War.  

After returning from service he earned his AA from Dodge City Community College, BS in Biology from the University of Kansas, and MS in Zoology from Fort Hays State University.  Gilbert completed additional graduate courses at Oregon State University, University of Arizona, University of Georgia, and University of Nebraska.  He married Jeanette Spangenberg on December 24, 1962 in Grand Island, Nebraska.

Gilbert joined the Hastings College faculty in 1962 as Instructor of Biology and distinguished himself by leading field trips through which students could experience the outdoor world. He officially retired as a full professor in 1993 after 31 years of teaching becoming Professor Emeritus of Biology.  Gilbert continued to teach courses many years after his retiring.  Among the honors he received were the Burlington Northern Faculty Achievement Award for excellence in teaching, an honorary doctorate from Hastings College, Ecologist of the year for the State of Nebraska, and membership in the Pro Rege Society.  Gilbert was also recognized for leading the first international group to the Hacienda Tabi

In addition to teaching Gilbert was the Director of an Environmental Education Institute for K-12 teachers.  He served as a consultant for field studies curriculum at the Hastings Junior High School, and served as a field guide for field studies in biology and earth science for the Crete High School.  Gilbert was also a consultant for E.R.T. Resource Engineering Company for the remedial investigation at the Hastings Naval Ammunition Depot.  Gilbert was a member of numerous Ecological, Botany, Oceanographic, and Biology Society and foundations both national and regional.

Gilbert is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jeanette Adrian; daughter, Debra Vorderstrasse and her husband Jason; four sons, Robert North Adrian and his wife Deb, Brent Adrian and his wife Tracy all of Hastings, Nebraska, Brad Adrian of Kearney, Nebraska, and Brian Adrian and his wife Shelly of San Diego, California; seven grandchildren, Adrian Allard, Drake Vorderstrasse, Dan Adrian, Chris Adrian, Braxton Adrian, Brayden Adrian, and Brody Adrian; four great grandchildren; three sisters, Delores Werner and her husband Rolland, Shirley Short, and Donna Shumard and her husband Don; brother, Galen Adrian all of Dodge City, Kansas; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters and brother-in-laws, June and Bob Coffin, Norma and Kenny Tyler, Louise and Eddie Sowers, and Iris Maser; brother, Glen Adrian.