Dr. Gary Gene Gilbert Sr.

1934 - 2024

DR. GARY GENE GILBERT SR., 89, of Huntington, WV, died Monday July 22, 2024, at his residence. Funeral service will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday July 27, 2024, at Chapman's Mortuary, Huntington, with Reverends Mark Connor and Annette Carper officiating. Burial will be in Spring Hill Cemetery. Gary was born August 23, 1934, in Huntington, WV, a son of the late Willis and Lucille Lenore Higgins Gilbert. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, a OB/GYN physician for more than 47 years, a member of the Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church, Past Master, Huntington Masonic Lodge # 53 whose members will conduct Masonic graveside rites, Past Worshipful Master and 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, Past High Priest and KYCH York Rite Mason, Past Commander, Huntington Commandry #9 of Knights Templar; Past President of Cabell County Medical Society; Emeritus Professor Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Marshall University School of Medicine.
Dr. Gilbert attended Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and finished his training at West Virginia School of Medicine. His four-year residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology was at Hospital for the Women of Maryland which joined the Presbyterian Hospital to form Greater Baltimore Medical Center. He also did a fellowship at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
He and his wife returned to Huntington, WV, to practice OB/GYN with Dr. Ed Humphrey until his passing. He continued to practice with Dr. Ben Edwards until 2007.
Shortly after the Marshall University Medical School opened, he was asked to be a part of the Medical Faculty.
He was the first physician in the area to participate in the Association of Professors in OB/GYN Academic Scholars and Leaders Program. Up to 25 faculty members from across the nation are selected each year for this program which helps OB/GYN physicians to advance their skills as teachers and leaders. All his students received high grades on the national exams, which enabled them to match with better residency programs in a variety of specialties. From his education in Baltimore, he was the first physician in Huntington to use the Ultrasound to monitor the growth and development of the baby. He also pioneered the use of laparoscopy surgery.
He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Howard Gilbert, Willis Don Gilbert and a son-in-law David Lucas. Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Betty Ruth Carroll Gilbert; one daughter, Elizabeth G. Lucas of Ft. Worth, TX; three sons, Gary G Gilbert Jr., and wife Debbie of Summersville, WV, Michael Scott Gilbert of Huntington, Christopher Todd Gilbert and wife Diane of Nashville, TN; 7 grandchildren, William Zachary Gilbert, Cassandra L. Gilbert, Gary Gene Gilbert III, Sarah Grace Gilbert, Emily Elizabeth Gilbert, Maria Ruth Gilbert, and Pheobe Dillon Lucas, great-grandchildren Indikaya, Irie Iye, Aurora Elizabeth, and Viktor.
In his honor, donations may be made to Cabell County Medical Society Alliance Scholarship at the Marshall University Foundation, 519 John Marshall Drive, Huntington, WV 25703. Visitation will be from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, July 26, 2024, at Chapman's Mortuary. Online condolences may be sent to www.chapmans-mortuary.com.