Obituary of Lawrence Irwin Gilbert

Lawrence Irwin Gilbert, 88, died Tuesday October 31, 2017 in Chapel Hill. OBITUARY Lawrence was born January 24, 1929 in New York City. He graduated cum laude from Long Island University in 1950, with a B.S. in Biology and Chemistry, received his M.S. in 1955 from New York University, and his Ph.D. in Zoology in 1958 from Cornell University. From 1952 to 1955, he proudly served as Communications Officer aboard the USS Wasp in the Pacific theater during the Korean War. From 1958 to 1980, he was a member of the Biology Department faculty at Northwestern University, advancing to the rank of Professor in just seven years. In 1980, he became a Tarheel, taking a position as Chair of Biology, a department created under his auspices. He became a Kenan professor in 1982. He held a variety of administrative positions including Chair of the Division of Natural and Applied Sciences, Associate Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Associate Provost, and even Acting Chair of the Department of Radio, Television, and Motion Pictures. During an illustrious academic career that spanned more than five decades, Larry distinguished himself as an internationally renowned insect endocrinologist whose groundbreaking work on isolating the juvenile hormone in the manduca sexta hornworm is still widely cited. Among his numerous honors was his election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AAAS), his receipt of the Gregor Mendel Gold Medal awarded by the Czech government, and the Thomas Jefferson Award, UNC's highest honor. But the recognition that meant the most to Larry was the Lifetime Achievement Mentor Award given to him by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Indeed, mentoring was Larry's passion. His commitment to guiding his undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as his younger colleagues was legendary. With insight and acumen, he deftly assisted them not only in navigating their careers, but also in developing personal relationships. Of course, his unrivaled ability to advise others extended to his family and his vast network of friends, many of whom sought his good counsel. As a devoted father and cherished father-in-law, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Larry taught by example the importance of family. After losing Doris, his beloved wife of forty-four years in 1996, Larry remained a pillar of his family, sharing numerous holidays and other occasions with his children, grand-children, and ultimately, great-grandchildren. A world traveler, he also enjoyed trips to Europe, Asia, and other destinations with his longtime partner, Susan Fellner. Larry was pre-deceased by his parents, Matilda and Charles Goldberg, sister Janet Goldberg, brother Michael Gilbert, and wife Doris Gilbert. He is survived by his son Scott Gilbert (Lauren Gilbert), his son Daniel Gilbert (Marilynn Oliphant), his daughter Joanne Gilbert (Mike Bishop), his grandchildren Arlo Gilbert, Amanda Gilbert (Mohamed Sow), Zachary Gilbert (Sarah Gilbert), and Wren Gilbert, his step-grandchildren Sarah Bishop, Hannah Lutz, Hank Lutz, and his great-grandchildren, Daylyn Gilbert, Sari Gilbert, Noah Sow, Dalia Sow, Daphne Gilbert, and Matilda Gilbert. Larry's rich legacy of love and deep commitment to education and family continue to enrich and enliven the many he touched. His light was so bright -- it continues to shine. Memorial services were held at 10:00 AM on 11/3/17 at Judea Reform Congregation, 1933 West Cornwallis Road, Durham, NCMap: https://goo.gl/gaQFHL In lieu of flowers, our family asks that donations be made to the Lawrence Gilbert Distinguished Lecture Fund in Biology at the University of North Carolina. Checks should be made payable to "Dept. Biology Gilbert Lectureship Fund Designation Code 105561" and should be mailed to "Department of Biology / Attention: Dr. Victoria Bautch / UNC Chapel Hill / 205 Coker Hall; CB# 3280 / Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280."