Daniel Frederick Gilbert

Daniel was born on November 21, 1932 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. His parents were Carl and Esther Gilbert and he had one brother, Richard Gilbert. His parents raised him in Worcester, Massachusetts where he gained an interest in science. His family relocated to Sun Valley, California in 1950, where he graduated from Verdugo High School in 1951.

He enlisted in the Army on March 31, 1952 and served in an administrative role in Seoul, Korea, during the Korean war. He was honorably discharged as a Sergeant on March 5, 1954. He then enrolled at UCLA  and obtained a BA degree in Philosophy in 1958, desiring to become a Professor.

Before departing for Korea, he met Patricia Corinne Wilson at Calvary Baptist Church in Burbank, California and they married there on September 9, 1955. They had two children, Stephen and Deborah, and relocated to Anaheim, California. He and Patricia were very active at Magnolia Baptist Church in Anaheim, California. He taught Sunday School for 24 years and was an Elder of the church. Dan dedicated his life to faith and family, raising his children and teaching them the things of the Lord. Dan loved to read on a wide variety of topics, including religion, science, and history, but his passion was reading and studying God’s Word. He also enjoyed sailing, and took the family on sailing excursions out of Long Beach. He loved the beach and swimming in the ocean. After her brave battle with cancer, with Dan always at her side as her rock and comfort, Patricia passed away in June of 1987.   

Dan began his career at Occidental Life in data processing. He went on to work as a Senior Computer Analyst in the aerospace industry at North American Rockwell, Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Hughes Aircraft Company. Later, he worked for Bergen Brunswig, a Pharmaceutical Distribution Company, managing their computer systems. One of the highlights of his career was working on the Voyager Space Probe.

While working at Hughes Aircraft, he met Sherry Spires and they married in October 1989. He and Sherry took many vacations traveling worldwide, particularly to Hawaii, his favorite destination. They enjoyed their traveling, dancing at Disneyland, and attending sports events, with special interest in major tennis tournaments. Dan was very active at Saint Angela Merici Catholic Church, in Brea, California, where he taught bible classes for 20 years. He also served as Eucharist Minister for a convalescent home for several years and taught RCIA. Sherry and Dan both sang in the choir and participated in many church events together.

He is survived by his wife Sherry Spires Gilbert, his son Stephen Gilbert, and Cheri Gilbert, grandchildren Daniel Gilbert, Brittany Vasquez, and Natalie Gilbert, great grandchildren Makayla Vasquez, Joshua Vasquez, and Grace Gilbert; and his daughter Deborah McDonald and her husband Casey McDonald, and grandchildren Spencer Trumbore, Dane Trumbore, Brent McDonald, and Mitchel McDonald.