John L. Gilbert

John Leslie Gilbert, 92, of Rockbridge County, Virginia, died in Staunton, on Sunday, January 7, 2024.

He was born in Richmond in 1931 to the late Weston and Irene Gilbert.

John attended Glen Allen High School, Henrico County and graduated in 1949.  He later earned a BS in Civil Engineering from VMI, an MS in Mechanical Engineering from UVA, and a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from Virginia Tech. 

After graduating from VMI in 1953, John received a commission from the Air Force where he flew F-84s, a fighter-bomber jet.  He spent much of his service stationed in England. 

John’s professional employment included working for NASA (Langley) as an Aerospace Engineer for 28 years. After retiring from NASA in 1987, he accepted a teaching position in the Mechanical Engineering department at VMI where he taught for 4 years.

While teaching at VMI, John, together with his wife Doris, married 54 years, built a new home on land in Rockbridge County. On this small farm, they raised Black Angus cattle.  They relished taking care of the fields, gardens, and farm animals.  John also had a special place in his heart for his dog, Maria. She was his constant companion in the last years of his life. 

John was preceded in death by his wife, Doris W. Gilbert, and his brother, Lewis L. Gilbert. 

He is survived by his son, Gregory S. Gilbert, and his wife, Frances T. Gilbert; his daughter, Cynthia G. Georgallis and her husband, Mark S. Georgallis; and his three grandchildren, John D. Gilbert, Martha M. Georgallis, and Grace M. Gilbert.

A private graveside service will be held at Westhampton Memorial & Cremation Park in Henrico on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at noon.

Charitable donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Central and Western Virginia (355 Rio Road West, Suite 102, Charlottesville, VA 22901).