Gilbert Joseph Custer Jr.

Gilbert Joseph Custer, Jr., MD was born in San Antonio, Texas. He grew up in multiple cities but home was only one place - with his family. Gilbert is known and loved for his lifelong interest in learning, bringing joy and laughter wherever he went, and for always being available to lend a listening ear and words of encouragement.

Gilbert was passionate about helping others see the best in themselves. He offered gentle guidance and tools to empower people to navigate life’s challenges. A favorite saying of his was, "We're all here by grace and not justice.”

After a valiant fight against an aggressive cancer, Gilbert had only two priorities for the final months of his life: to see his family and say his goodbyes, and to ensure his patients would be ok. A well respected child and adolescent psychiatrist in Austin for over 40 years, Gilbert served patients in his private practice from 1985 up to a month before his death. He saw some patients as children grow into being parents with their own children.

Gilbert loved music and played guitar since he was 16 years old. He also enjoyed flamenco music and dance, gardening, yoga and pilates, science, and history.

Gilbert is survived by his wife of 42 years, Sylvia; his children, Veronica and Alan; his sisters, Patty and Harriet; and many nephews and nieces. He is predeceased by his parents, Rosemary Custer and Gilbert Joseph Custer, Sr.

Gilbert's formal professional accomplishments include attending the University of Texas at Austin for his undergraduate studies and earning his medical degree from The University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. He completed his Internship and Residency in General Psychiatry at The University of Texas Medical School in San Antonio and completed his Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry with the San Antonio Children's Center and Community Guidance Center of Bexar County. Gilbert served as President of the Texas Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists from 1995-1996.

A visitation for Gilbert will be held Sunday, April 16, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78752. A funeral service will occur Monday, April 17, 2023 at 11:00 AM, 6100 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78752. A graveside service will occur Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Resurrection Cemetery, 11624 Culebra, #501, San Antonio, Texas 78253.

The Custer family deeply appreciates the kind words and memories shared by the communities that Gilbert enriched. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the American Cancer Society at

https://raiseyourway.donordrive.com/campaign/Gilbert-J-Custer or, to extend Gilbert’s legacy of helping others and his love of music, the music therapy program at Houston Methodist hospitals. The program helps patients in their recovery through the healing power of music. A donation can be made by visiting

https://givingforms.houstonmethodist.org/GeneralGivingForm. Under the Gift Designation options, select Other. In the box that appears, type “Music Therapy Program.” In the payment section, there is a selection option for “My gift is in honor or memory of someone”.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com for the Custer family.