Rev. Dr. Richard Bellamy Gilbert

Share

Richard Bellamy Gilbert was born in the Middletown, New York area, on St. Patrick’s Day, 1945. He was a ward of the county until, at age 6 mos., he was adopted by Frederic B. Gilbert, III and Eleanor T. Gilbert of Staten Island, NY. He entered eternal rest on Saturday, December 3, 2022. 

Dick attended P.S. 36.  He was active in the music program at Messiah Lutheran Church, where was confirmed and later ordained.  At the start of High school he began umpiring baseball and refereeing basketball.  He officiated a New York City Little League championship when he was 14 and, 52 years later, hung up his whistle working 6 varsity games in the state tournament of Illinois. 

He graduated from Tottenville High School in 1962 and went on to Capital University in Columbus, OH.  He was active in student ministries, studied organ in the Conservatory of Music, and graduated in 1966.  He graduated from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in 1970 with a Master’s degree.

At college Dick met Sharon Maier and they married in 1968.  Their only child, Allison, was born in 1971. 

He served two parishes in Ohio and then began clinical training as a hospital chaplain in Dayton, OH followed by a full clinical residency at the University of Michigan Medical Center.  He served hospitals in Burlington, IA, Valparaiso, IN. and Elgin, IL.  He retired from chaplaincy in 2006.   He received advanced credentials and published 4 books, contributed to 6 other books, spoke throughout the United States with stops in Canada, the U.K., and Greece. He earned D.Min. and PhD degrees. During these years he took courses (and later taught at) The Graduate Theological Foundation, doing his course work and thesis at Oxford University. He helped expand a now international network and support system for the bereaved and training for those who provided their care. He taught medical ethics in person and online at Benedictine College, Mercy College of New York and Carl Sandburg.

Dick leaves to mourn him his wife of 54 years, Sharon, daughter Allison Broadfield, son-in-law Arlen Broadfield; grandsons Andrew and Adam Broadfield, sister, Barbara (William) Walsh; sisters-in-law Annette Maier and Billie Maier, step-grandchildren, cousins, nephews and one niece.

Cremation will be accorded.  Visitation with the family will be held Friday, December 9, 2022 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel on West Fremont Street. A memorial service will be conducted by Pr. Katie Gallagher at Faith Lutheran Church, Wataga, Illinois on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at 11 a.m.  Memorials made be made to Galesburg Noon Rotary, Toulon Rehabilitation and Healthcare, or Faith Lutheran Church.  Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.

Spread the word

Other Obituaries

Latest News Podcasts

Subscribe to our Community Newsletter

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Prairie Communications, 55 Public Square, Monmouth, IL, 61462, https://977wmoi.com/. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

Choose a Category

Continue Reading

Charles R. “Chuck” Fry

Charles R. “Chuck” Fry, 68, of Monmouth, IL, passed away on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family after a brave yearlong battle with cancer. Chuck

Mary L. Morlan

Mary L. Morlan, 92 of Galesburg, died at 11:40 p.m. Monday, March 25, 2024, at St. Mary’s Medical Center. She was born November 25, 1931, in Gilson, Illinois, the daughter

Tom Leon Sawyer Jr.

Tom Leon Sawyer Jr., 79, of Little Swan Lake passed away Saturday March 23, 2024, at 3:33p.m. at Seminary Manor in Galesburg. He was born Tuesday, September 26, 1944, in

Roger W. “Rog” Higbee

Roger W. “Rog” Higbee, age 70, of Davenport, Iowa, passed away at 11:05 AM on Monday, March 25, 2024 at his residence. He was born March 20, 1954 in Galesburg,

Fred A. Leath

Fred A. Leath, age 90, of Monmouth, Illinois, passed away at 8:34 AM on Monday, March 25, 2024 at the Monmouth Nursing Home. He was born July 18, 1933 in