Robert Charles Gilbert's Obituary
Robert Charles Gilbert, Wailuku, HI
BOB was a HAPPY TRANSPLANT who followed the waves to his beloved Hawaii, relocating from The Florida Keys in the mid-80’s, to find a lifestyle that worked well for him until 2024. Bob became a true lover of Maui--totally enjoying the warm friendly people, calming life, perfect waves, comforting healthy cool breezes and dependable weather. He was known as a local who just enjoyed going to the beach to admire the world-recognized, talented surfers. They left with amazing photos and, personally, awestruck! Bob enjoying his photos of Maui life and people (especially the beautiful children and dogs). He proudly shared them with anyone interested and posted them online. He was grateful for those who took time to play chess, share a donut or just give a warm friendly “ALOHA”; maybe kibbutz about their dogs (at his daily haunt puppy park) or about riding a Harley or surfing.
Bob was born almost 77 yrs. ago in Washington, DC. He was raised in Silver Spring, MD, with one older sister, Carol (now retired in SW FL), and younger brother, Philip (residing in Denver). Early-on, Bob loved rock ‘n roll--dancing and listening. He tried his first set of Ludwig drums, but developed a personal interest in music beyond that, enjoying local talents and strumming his guitar. Bob mostly needed connection with friends nearby and far, through social media, music and phone calls.
Bob worked in sales starting with Hoover Company as a teen; married young and had two lovely daughters, Michelle Dorsey (MD) and Patricia Sosa (VA). His family grew to an interesting mix including 8 grand-children and 2 greats. He appreciated his one granddaughter, Brittany, who fortunately was local, residing in Maui with her husband.
Bob’s life was always changing and interesting. At one time, he owned a vacuum sales and repair business (Montgomery Co., MD); then was emotionally-drawn to tattoos, Harley motorcycles and the repair of those bikes in the rear of his vacuum shop. He experienced a lot of “cool friends” when riding the back roads which, ultimately, led to selling his business, leaving the COLD temps. behind, and following his lifelong dream—to find good waves…beaches…sunshine in the FL Keys.
Living in Paia first, later Wailuku, Bob was a known as a “local” often visiting flea markets and the library. He connected with “Friends of the Library” due to his frequency there searching for a good book or memorable film video to add to his collection. He impressed his sister with his memory of special details and quotes from those often rewatched films which became his good home companions. He also appreciated his long friendship with Kathleen Davis and noted what a good friend she was and how much he enjoyed spending time over lunch chatting.
BUT, Bob’s most loving relation, beloved by all the peeps at the puppy park, was adorable APACHE. “Patchy” was his constant, supportive buddy in his later (sometimes lonely) years. “THANK YOU/Mahalo—dear Apache! You were my family here.” Bob thoughtfully made special arrangement for “Patchy” to move to his new future, very happy home. He is now adopted generously by a special family--David Anderson, a Maui local and caring friend. The Gilbert Family (mostly on the East Coast of the Mainland) thinks it’s lucky for Patchey that our Bob was really thinking ahead.
Bob Gilbert (brother, father, grandfather and friend) was hospitalized with COVID and then pneumonia. He passed peacefully under the professional care of a wonderful, caring assigned doctor, nurses and other staff at the Maui Medical on July 13; sadly, he never made it to celebrate his 77th birthday this coming JULY 26th.
His family and friends are thankful he is fully at peace now…and hope he is remembered fondly for the unique guy he was.
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