Robert L. Gilbert, age 77, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, on Thursday, October 22, 1998, at his residence. A native of Farmville, Virginia, he was married to Patricia Ann
O'Brien of Newport, Rhode Island, at the Naval Chapel in Newport on December 5, 1944. After a 40 year Naval career, he and his wife retired to the Sandbridge area of Virginia Beach.

Commander Gilbert played football for Farmville Varsity team as a halfback. He attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and was a member of the Corps of Cadets.

Commander Gilbert was a Career Naval Aviator and Veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He flew Wildcat fighter planes at Guadalcanal from Fighter Strip I and II in 1943. He was awarded the Air Medal for Service in the Solomon Islands campaign and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement in the Naval Corps. He was also a member of the VF II Squadron known as the SunDowners.

He is survived by three daughters, Priscilla Ann Otto of Carrboro, NC, Eileen Katherine Gilber of Kemptville, Ontario, Canada and Geraldine O'Brien of Virginia Beach, Virginia; one son, Robert L. Gilbert, Jr. of Chappaqua, New York; one sister, Nannie Adaline Aman of Richmond, Virginia; one cousin, Caroline Hubbard of Temple Hills, Maryland; four granddaughters, Meghan M. Otto and Eileen C. Otto, both of Carrboro, North Carolina, Colleen M. Gilbert and Christine Gilbert, both of Chappaqua, New York; two grandsons, Andrew Butler and Jeffrey Butler, both of Kemptville, Ontario, Canada.

A church funeral will be conducted Sunday at 3 p.m. in Tabernacle United
Methodist Church, 1265 Sandbridge Rd., Virginia Beach, Virginia, by  the Rev. Jack E. Davis. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors, Wednesday, November 4, 1998 at 3 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 2730 Ellsmere Ave., Norfolk, Virginia 23513.

Air Medal