Randy Gilbert

Randy Gilbert The world became a little emptier on Wednesday, February 8 with the untimely death of Randy Gilbert, 57, a 30-year resident of the Bay Area. Randolph Lawson Gilbert was born February 10, 1955 in Havre De Grace, MD. He was the loving son of Lois W. Gilbert and the late Joseph C. Gilbert, who died in 2004. He is survived by his children Joseph Gilbert, 23, of San Francisco, and Katy Gilbert, 22, of San Luis Obispo. From Maryland he is survived by his older brother Joseph H. (Skip) Gilbert, and younger sisters MaryAnn McNeely, Raine Archer and husband Steve, Lois Piercy and husband Andy. Also surviving are 8 nephews, 5 nieces and 5 great nephews and nieces. Also a loving companion, Barbara Holbert, and countless friends and colleagues. Randy is a 1974 graduate of The John Carroll School in Bel Air, MD where he distinguished himself on the athletic fields. In 1973 he was voted by the Baltimore Sun to its First Team All-Metro as quarterback and named Prep All-American. But at 5'9", 185 pounds he was deemed too small for college football. So in the spring he turned his considerable energy to lacrosse where he earned similar honors and was recruited to play lacrosse at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He earned his Bachelors degree in 1978 and while he was a decent student, it was his prowess on the lacrosse field that distinguished his athletics and collegiate career. He embodied all the attributes inherent to the Creator's Game- the sport invented over 1,000 years ago by Native Americans to entertain the Creator or prepare for war. Randy was tough, fast, intensely competitive, physical and had great dexterity with his hands and stick work. He showed great compassion for his teammates, detested his opponents until after the game, but above all was a great sportsman, fair, and respectful to all. He received many accolades and awards for his excellent level of play. Most important to him, aside from twice being named to the NCAA Division 1 All-American team and All-ACC, was being Captain his senior year. "He was a teammates' dream and an opponents' nightmare." Randy began his professional life as a mortgage broker in Virginia Beach, VA. But "pushing paper" and "sitting in an office all day" was not meant for a competitor who was unable to sit still. He landed at United States Lines, a freight forwarding shipping company, as a salesman and in 1982 headed West. In 1986 his hard work paid off when Randy joined Triton Container in San Francisco and began to set the course for his ideal, best suited, dream career. Active in an industry so reliant on people and relationships, Randy converted his athletic skills to the golf course- where he spent considerable time and energy. From the West Coast to the East Coast, to Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Germany, the UK, Russia- to all corners of the World, Randy executed his life's duties with good humor and gracious affection. He will be remembered throughout as a highly professional achiever who was prone to mischief and pranks capable of putting all people at ease. Above all, his friendships and associations, his teammates and deeply professional career, was his devotion to his children Joseph and Katy, to whom he adored and was so proud of. A Celebration of Randy's Life will take place at Stone Tree Golf Course, Monday, February 13, 2012 at 4pm.