James N. "Jim" Gilbert

James "Jim" N. Gilbert 60, longtime Kearney resident, died peacefully at home on Saturday (10/4/08) after a long, courageous battle with cancer. Jim was born October 8, 1947 in Coatesville, Pa. to Byron and Doris (Cohen) Gilbert. He grew up in Coatesville. On June 26, 1971 he married Elizabeth "Libby" Martin. He was a professor and former Chair of the Department of Criminal Justice at the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK). He received his B.S. degree in Criminology from California State University at Long Beach, Calif., his M.S. degree in Criminal Justice Education from Eastern Kentucky University and his Ph.D. in Adult Education concentrating in Criminal Justice from the University of Southern Mississippi. Author of the college textbook, Criminal Investigation, Jim was also a 1996 winner of a Pratt-Heins grant awarded by UNK for outstanding scholarship and research. This award is the most prestigious award a faculty member can receive from UNK.
Jim's teaching career spanned 36 years, of which the last 20 years were at UNK. Prior to that, Jim taught Criminal Justice for four years at Radford University, Radford, Va., four years at Chadron State College, Chadron, Neb., and eight years at Parkland College, Champaign, Ill. Before joining the academic world, Jim was in law enforcement, which included positions as a security officer for Wackenhut Security Corporation in Los Angeles, police cadet for the Santa Monica Police Department in Calif., police officer and investigator for the Berkeley Police Department in Calif. and as a Special Agent Investigator for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in Jacksonville, Fla.
Jim's hobbies and passions included an encyclopedic knowledge of the American Civil War, writing numerous fiction and non-fiction articles and short stories, maintaining his skill as an accomplished artist of sketches and portraits, and continuing to pursue his love for attending and discussing movies and theater.
Jim is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Nathanael Hunter, Kearney; grandson, Patrick Hunter, Kearney; sister, Susan Gilbert, Las Vegas, Nev.; and brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Irene Gilbert, Foster City, Calif. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Bennett; and his wife of 32 years, Elizabeth "Libby" in 2003.
A memorial service will be held Saturday (10/11/08) at 11 a.m. at the Kearney First United Methodist Church, followed by a reception at the church. Rev. Rebecca Hjelle will officiate. Private interment in the Kearney Cemetery will be prior to services. There will be no visitation. Jim's wishes were that in lieu of flowers, donation be made to the American Cancer Society. Online condolences or personal reflections can be submitted at osafh.com. O'Brien - Straatmann Funeral Home of Kearney is in charge of arrangements.