How do you measure success? Robert (Bob) Allen Gilbert Sr. was born on May 9th, 1939 in Roundup MT to Robert Virgil Gilbert and Edith Mae Horning-Gilbert. As a young man he joined the Army reserves then soon after started his career in the oil industry, and finishing up in the Montana legislation. He married Lillian Delores (Dee) Hazelton-Gilbert on Oct 11, 1956 and spent 66 years enjoying life together. They had three children they were proud of, sons Robert (Rob) Gilbert Jr. and Keith Gilbert, and daughter Suzanne Gilbert-George. They built their lives and raised their family in Roundup, Gillette WY, Williston ND, Glendive, and finally settled in Sidney.

So how do you measure success? Is it the 17 years he worked for Getter Trucking as a truck driver moving drilling rigs and later being a truck pusher? He loved moving drilling rigs, he could talk for hours about the ins and outs of driving truck and the rigs. Is it after going into a partnership and buying Paraffin Service, hauling water, oil, and mud for 17 years? Taking the business from a small 6 truck company and building up to a 15-truck business after buying his partner out. Is it the 10 years he served as a legislative representative for the state of Montana, serving the needs and wants of Montanans and making an impact across the state. Was it the 28 years serving as a lobbyist for Phillips, Rosebud, and Musselshell Counties, the cities of Glendive and Colstrip, School Bus Contractors, Aviation Trades Association, Montana Tow Trucks Association, or Montana Walleyes Unlimited? Or was it that many of his colleagues held him in high esteem?

In all things, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. Was it in the things he truly enjoyed like hunting the Castles and Little Belt mountains, sailing his 27’ sail boat on Canyon Ferry and Fort Peck, spending time at their cabin on Fort Peck, the many hours flying his push/pull Sky Master or his Cessna 182s? Was it his passion for reading, being a Mason and Shriner for over 50 years, or a Moose and Elk’s member? For Bob it was in the conversations and relationships he built with everyone he met. He loved people, he loved sharing his experiences and learning from others. He loved hearing about state issues and finding solutions, he loved sharing stories about his grandkids and the people he’s met with everyone. He was genuinely proud of his family and those that he made a connection with. Bob was successful in business but more importantly to him, he was successful in the relationships he had.

Bob passed away after enjoying one last session in Helena doing what he loved, visiting with people and building relationships while serving the citizens of Montana.

Bob is survived by his loving wife Dee Gilbert, son Robert Gilbert Jr. (Debra) grandson Rob Gilbert III (Jessica), daughter Suzanne George grandsons Bobby, Nick (Holly), and Chad, daughter in-law Brenda Gilbert grandson Cody, grandson Keith Miller, granddaughter Stacey Miller-Cousins, 16 great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren, sisters Gloria Soderstrom, Darlene Miner, Mary Ellen Swain, Emma Fraser, and brother Joe Gilbert.

Bob is preceded in death by his mother Edith Groom and father Robert V Gilbert, son Keith Gilbert, sisters Shirley Gilbert-Bienhoff and Kathy Meehan, and brothers Mike Scott and Larry Gilbert.

Memorial Contribution