Robert E. Gilbert, 90

March 22, 2016

Robert E. Gilbert, 90, passed away at Brethren Village on Tuesday, March 22, 2016. He was born March 25, 1925 in New York City to the late Murry and Edna (Reigleman) Goldstein. He lived in Manhattan his entire life until 25 years ago when he moved to Lancaster County.

He was a graduate of DeWitt Clinton High School and entered Lehigh University at the age of 16. After two years at Lehigh he enlisted as a midshipman in Officer Candidate School at Northwestern University. Upon graduation he was assigned as a Navigator and Communications Officer on the newly built LST 1068. He spent the next three and a half years aboard ship in the Pacific Theatre of World War II. After the end of the War, he graduated from Lehigh and took advantage of the GI Bill to study in Paris and Italy.

Robert previously owned Chantilly, a designer fabric import company in Manhattan, until retirement. He then operated Union Station Workshops, a French lace import company supplying laces for heirloom sewing until January 2009. The arts and travel were lifelong interest and he previously was a co-owner of Peridot Gallery in NYC.

He was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Lancaster.

Robert is survived by sons Max (Isabel), Fort Drum, NY and Miles, Lititz, PA and daughter Cameron, New York City; grandchildren Alyssa, Alyna and Izaiah Gilbert, Fort Drumm, NY; nephew Tony Peyser, NYC, nieces Dr. Karen Seligman, Scarsdale, NY and Monica Parks, NYC, and his dear friend Faye Forwood. His sister Joan Peyser died in 2011.

A visitation will take place from 10:30 to 11 am, followed by Mass at 11 am with Rev. Michael E. Messner as Celebrant, on Monday, March 28th, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 558 W. Walnut St., Lancaster, PA. Interment in Masonville Mennonite Cemetery. Please omit flowers. Memorial contributions may be made Sacred Heart School, 235 Nevin St., Lancaster PA 17603.