Addison Starr Gilbert III

Addison Starr Gilbert III VERO BEACH - Addison Starr Gilbert III, 73, a retired director of secondary education who worked in the Sarasota County school system, died Sunday, Oct. 6, 2002. A memorial service will be at 7 p.m. Saturday at Church of the Redeemer, 222 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota (941-955-4263). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236 or Coastal Conservation Association of Florida, 905 E. Park Ave., Tallahassee, FL 32301. Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home in Vero Beach (772-778-3233) is handling arrangements. Born in DeLand in 1928, he received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Stetson University. After service in the Army, Gilbert taught physical education in Putnam and Sarasota counties. Gilbert became a trainer at the Sarasota Sailor Circus in 1955 and was the first coach to bring a flying act to that circus. In 1960 Gilbert moved to Tallahassee where he directed Florida State University's Flying High Circus. While at FSU he became the first coach in the United States to teach an amateur a triple somersault. Under Gilbert's direction, the FSU circus toured Europe with performances in Barcelona, Nice, Florence and Athens. CBS filmed the tour and presented the highlights on "Wide World of Sports." He also developed and directed the Callaway Gardens Summer Program featuring FSU circus performers. Gilbert returned to Sarasota in 1968, becoming assistant principal and then principal of Sarasota Junior High School. Later as principal of Booker High School, he was instrumental in establishing the school's visual and performing arts program. In 1986, Gilbert represented the Democratic Party in a bid for the U.S. Congress. An avid fly fisherman, Gilbert operated a charter fishing business and spent several years living and fishing in Costa Rica. Survivors include his daughters, Margo Gilbert of Tallahassee and Greylynne Gilbert of Sarasota; his son, Robert Gilbert of Sarasota; his sister, Mary Ethel Prather of DeLand; and two grandchildren.