Name: Celebration of Life for Dr. Griff L. Bilbro
Start: 2016-11-14T23:00:00.000Z
Location: Mitchell Funeral Home at Raleigh Memorial Park

Dr. Griff L. Bilbro

November 3, 1948 - November 10, 2016

Raleigh

Dr. Griff L. Bilbro, 68, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, November 10, 2016. Born on November 3, 1948 in New Orleans, Louisiana; he was the son of the late Griff and Frieda Luhrs Bilbro. Griff graduated from Case Western Reserve University with a Bachelor's degree in Physics in 1973, graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1975 with a Master's in Physics and received his PhD from Illinois in 1977.

Griff was Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at North Carolina State University. He joined N. C. State in 1985, following several years in industry, and enjoyed a 31-year career with colleagues and students in the ECE department. His research interests were broad, beginning with his early work in phase transitions with Bill McMillan at Illinois, through his work in image processing with Wes Snyder at NCSU, and more recent work with Bob Trew in modeling transistors.

Griff was passionate about teaching and learning. He had a long record of outstanding teaching and was elected to the N.C. State Academy of Outstanding Teachers in 2001. He was named IEEE Undergraduate Teacher of the Year in 2006. He influenced many students and enjoyed following their careers.

Outside of work, Griff enjoyed thinking about and observing the world around him. He read history, philosophy, and science fiction. He enjoyed engaging others in thoughtful discourse. He loved trees, coffee, museums, and occasionally making messes in the name of science. Recently, more than anything, he enjoyed playing with his grandsons and exploring the world anew through their eyes.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 34 years (and girlfriend of 46 years), Carla Savage, also a Professor at NCSU; by his son, Lucas Savage Bilbro and his wife Jennifer Sacks, of Boston, Mass; by his daughter Rebecca Savage Bilbro and her husband Jeffery Bertolet, of Washington, DC; by his two grandchildren, Oscar Savage Bertolet and Griff Sacks Bilbro; by his brother, George Steven Bilbro and his partner Donna Calderon, of El Paso, TX; and by his nephew, Gregory Bilbro and niece Jazz Kiesling and her husband Gerry Kiesling.

A Celebration of Griff's Life will be held on Monday evening, November 14th at Mitchell Funeral Home beginning at 6 pm. Family will receive friends following their sharing of remembrances.

Condolences to the family at www.MitchellatRMP.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The News and Observer on Nov. 13, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Griff Bilbro

Sponsored by The Family of Griff Bilbro.

18 Entries

Frankie Myers

November 27, 2017

While reading through the NCSU ECE alumni magazine today, I was so saddened to learn of Dr. Bilbro's death last year. I have a lot of fond memories of the ECE faculty at NCSU but Dr. Bilbro truly stood out among them. He was in his element in front of the classroom. He made analog electronics feel approachable (no small feat!) by delivering clear, engaging lectures and by being so approachable himself. After every lecture, he'd be surrounded by a small crowd of students at the whiteboard, eagerly asking follow-up questions long after class had ended. He certainly influenced my decision to pursue a PhD and a career in teaching. He will be missed by many.

May 3, 2017

Dr. Bilbro is a passionate teacher, who students enjoyed learning from, and a kindhearted person to have a conversation with. It saddens me to learn about his sudden death. He is missed deeply by many. Prayers go to the rest of his family.

Abe Lieberman

February 20, 2017

Dear Carla,

In looking over the "In Memoriam" section of the Winter 2017 edition of the Case Alumnus Magazine, I was surprised and saddened to read of Griff's death. Griff and I were in the same suite in Case Institute's Staley House dorm. Griff was one of the nicest, most genuine people I ever met.
My sincerest condolences to you and your family.

Carla Savage

December 7, 2016

Our sincere thanks to all of you who are sharing your thoughts and memories of Griff. It bring us great comfort.
Thanks and love, Carla

November 30, 2016

Dear Carla, Good memories of Griff are what I remember from our days as Lamaze couples and coworkers at NCSU. His smile and gentle nature made many of my days brighter. You are in my prayers and thoughts as you begin this new season in life. Distance and time separates us but you are always in my heart. Sandy Bishop Rawls (Milford, CT)

November 17, 2016

To the Bilbro family, our condolences are with you and your family. Becky and our son Nicholas were friends in elementary and middle school and I remember Griff well from NC State. God Bless, from the Motley's.

Kathy Voso

November 14, 2016

My dear friend Carla, Carmen and I are so very sorry to hear of griff's passing. You, your children and grandchildren are in our thoughts and prayers. Love you.

a loved one

Sent Flowers

Joel Trussell

November 14, 2016

Sorry to hear the news. griff was a great guy personally, an excellent teacher and he contributed much to the department. We'll miss him.

Stephen Walsh

November 14, 2016

I am truly saddened to hear of the death of Griff. I worked with Griff several times over the years on ECE distance education. His students often told me that he was the most kind and gentle professor they ever had. Over the weekend I heard from one of his former students, a Park Scholar, who told me how much Dr. Bilbro meant to the direction his life has taken. Griff will be missed by many and I am one of them.

Bil Easter

November 13, 2016

Hello Carla,
I was shocked and saddened to learn of Griff's sudden death through the ECE network. Please accept my sincerest condolences for you and your family. I treasure my association with both of you as colleagues at NCSU,and I know that he will be sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Douglas & Ruby Oneal

November 13, 2016

We were very sadden when we looked at the obituaries and saw that Mr. Bilbro had unexpectantly passed. Had called and left a message for him about firewood not knowing this had happened. He was a valued customer and was always pleased with the firewood we delivered. Hope it will ease your heart to know that others care, and with deepest sympathy, remember you are in our prayers.

James Bertolet

Sent Flowers

Sue and Lou Lamoreux

November 13, 2016

We are saddened for your loss Rebecca,Jeff,Oscar and to the rest of your family. Our sincere condolence.

Jim & Sherri Bertolet

November 13, 2016

We recall the July 4 (maybe 2008) when we met you at University of Illinois visiting your daughter, Rebecca. It was a special time together and we knew Rebecca was a special young leader. May your legacy as a teacher, father and friend live on through your family.

November 13, 2016

Those privileged to know and love him will truly miss him. Thinking about it, celebration will be a time of misting tears and involuntary laughter because knowing him will evoke many and varied out- loud musings. Proverbs 11:25.

Scott Moore

November 12, 2016

Dr. Bilbro,

You were an amazing mentor, professor, and friend. Thank you for your teaching and positive impact on my life.

Bill Zhou

November 12, 2016

Dr.Bilbro, I was in your class ECE 403 last semester. Thank you, thank you for being an awesome professor, and also impact my life and study at NC State. My prayer goes with your family, and we love you as ECE students.

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