Jerome B. Gilbert

1930 - 2025

Jerome B. Gilbert
11/29/1930 - 05/13/2025
Jerome "Jerry" Gilbert, a nationally respected California water engineer, devoted husband, lifelong tennis player, and passionate lover of classical music, passed away peacefully on May 13, 2025, at the age of 94.
Born in Dayton, Ohio in 1930, Jerry graduated in civil engineering from the University of Cincinnati in 1953 and earned his master's degree from Stanford University in 1954. His engineering career began at the North Marin Water District, where he helped lead the pipeline connection from North Marin to the Russian River water supply. This formative role launched a lifelong commitment to improving California's water systems-technically, environmentally, and institutionally.
Over the decades, Jerry became a defining figure in California water management. He led public agencies, authored critical state and national legislation-including the EPA Clean Water Act and California's Porter-Cologne Act-and served as the first Executive Officer of the State Water Resources Control Board. From helping to clean up San Francisco Bay to championing integrated water systems and conservation planning, Jerry's leadership shaped decades of water policy in one of the most complex environments in the US.
He later founded JB Gilbert & Associates, which led major projects such as the regional sewage control system for Sacramento, sewage control for San Francisco, and the first water quality plan for Lake Tahoe. As General Manager of the East Bay Municipal Utility District, he modernized infrastructure, secured water rights to the American River, and helped advance the use of ozone and carbon in water treatment. Even into the 1990s, Jerry was pioneering new models for water facility development across the West Coast.
Throughout his career, Jerry served in leadership roles across major professional organizations. He was President of the American Water Works Association from 1979 to 1980 and President of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists from 1991 to 1992. He also held multiple roles within the International Water Association, contributing to international collaboration and standards in water management. In recognition of his significant contributions to the field, he was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering and received numerous awards, including the prestigious Abel Wolman Award of Excellence.
While his accomplishments were many, Jerry's greatest legacy was the life he built with his wife, Judy. They met when she was 17 and he was 20, introduced by her brother Joe, Jerry's college roommate at the University of Cincinnati. From the beginning, theirs was a partnership built not only on love, but on deep respect, intellectual curiosity, and unending conversation. They never stopped talking-about history, water, and family. He sought her insight daily, and her belief in him-his mind, his potential, his purpose-was constant and foundational.
Their shared love of learning shaped everything. In their early years together, they were fascinated with Mexican culture and folk music. Jerry learned to play guitar. He and Judy sang their favorite songs together. This spirit of openness and curiosity led to a lifelong love of travel. Together they explored the world, embracing new cultures and perspectives. Along the way, colleagues became friends, and those friendships became lasting connections across continents.
A gifted athlete, Jerry played tennis throughout his life, including as a doubles partner to Tony Trabert during college. He remained an active member of the Berkeley Tennis Club and found joy on the court well into his later years. Inspired by his mother, a professional musician, he carried a lifelong love of classical music, especially chamber music, which enriched his life and spirit.
Jerry was also a loving and playful father and grandfather. Charming, funny, and grounded, he delighted in teasing his daughters and grandchildren with a twinkle in his eye.
Jerry is survived by his wife Judy; their three daughters-Victoria Quintanilla, Jean Smith, and Tania Scheer; and four grandchildren-Dominique, Andrea, Noelle, and Nicholas.
He will be remembered for his humor, charm, pragmatic brilliance, and his ability to bring people together-to lead and inspire them through collaboration and determination to do great things.