Charles Richard "Rick" Gilbert

With a wink and a nod to his Irish roots, Rick passed away on a beautiful St. Patrick's Day morning. It was his big heart that finally gave out, after being hospitalized with pneumonia and struggling over a decade with Parkinson's Disease.

Rick was born in Seattle to parents Charles W. and Elsie E. (Riechman) Gilbert. He was raised in the Seattle area and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1956. After a brief start at college, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He later completed his studies and graduated from the University of Washington School of Sociology.

His professional life included serving as the Director of Community Relations and Resident services for the Seattle Housing Authority and on the probation assessment team for the Seattle Municipal Court. He also established his own business, Aegis Guardians, which provided guardianship and trust management services for the elderly and disabled adults. Throughout his professional career he used his experience to help others by volunteering for many community task forces and non-profit organizations.

Rick was a man of many interests, with a depth of knowledge about U.S. history and all sports, especially football, basketball and baseball. He became the family historian and devoted a multitude of hours to family genealogical research. He enjoyed many family trips to the Long Beach Peninsula, and traveling to other states and countries. He will be lovingly remembered for his kindness, wit, sense of humor and the best hugs.

Most of all he deeply loved his family: Susanna (Kelley), his friend and wife of 52 years; his oldest children Jeffrey (Shannon) and Gina (John) from his marriage to Loretta Madden; his younger children Tracy and Sean (Elyse); his grandchildren Cassandra, Ashley, Drew, Lacey and Bailey; his nephews and many cousins. Always, he will be remembered for his love of dogs, and above all, his final guardian, Kaya.

Rick is predeceased by his parents Chuck and Elsie, his sister, Janet, his son, Jeff, and his granddaughter, Cassie.

For those who have asked, in lieu of flowers, please consider donating a remembrance in Rick's name to your choice of the following:

Seattle Humane

Special Olympics

American Parkinson Disease Association/Northwest Chapter