Peter Gaillard Gilbert

He was the son of Warren and Mary Gilbert and is survived by his wife of 61 years, Suzy Barritt Gilbert; their three children, Barritt Gilbert (Emmy), Amy Carter (Britton), Ivy Spencer (Tom); and their ten grandchildren: William Gilbert (Sophie), Anne-Elizabeth Garza (Luis), Thomas Gilbert, Mary Harbin Gilbert, Benjamin Carter, Reid Carter (Tori), Will Carter, Peter Spencer, Anna Spencer, James Spencer. He is also survived by sisters Susan Harvey (late David) and Edith Ethridge (Larry); beloved nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews. Pete was blessed to be one of 17 first cousins who grew up together in Rome.

Pete attended Central Primary in Rome until fifth grade when he toured the United States and Canada with the Apollo Boys Choir while living in Palm Beach, Florida. Afterwards, he attended Darlington School. In 1961, he received a degree in history from the University of Virginia where he was a member of the Lambda chapter of the Kappa Alpha Order and the Thomas Jefferson Society.

Pete received his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta in 1965 and completed a surgical internship at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta before entering the United States Navy in 1967.

He served as the Chief Medical Officer on the USS Austin (LPD4) and was the Medical Officer at The Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, Virginia. He received the Joint Services Commendation Medal and was honored to have the privilege of serving our country.

Following his service, he completed his Urologic Surgical training at the University of Alabama Medical School in Birmingham in 1972. Later that year, he and his family moved back home to Rome, Georgia. He was a member of the Harbin Clinic, served on its Board of Directors and practiced urology for 31 years. He was Chief of Surgery, President of the medical staff, member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee at Redmond Regional Hospital, President of the Floyd-Polk-Chattooga Medical Society, President the Seventh District Medical Society and President of the Georgia Urologic Society. He was the Georgia representative on the Board of Directors to the Southeastern Urological Society.

He was an organizer and member of the Board of Directors of the First Rome Bank, now Regions Bank. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Darlington School, the Rome Area Heritage Foundation and the Coosa Country Club. He was a member of the Board of Directors and Life Trustee of the YMCA. He was a member of St Peter’s Episcopal Church. He was a member of the Prince Club. For over 50 years, he had the joy of being a member of the Fisherman's Academy for Relief and Thought.

Since the beginning of Pete and Suzy’s relationship, music has been an essential element of their lives. They played music together almost every day; he on his guitar, she on her mandolin, singing in harmony. He was devoted to Appalachian bluegrass music constantly playing, singing, teaching and learning.

He loved his family, friends, coworkers and patients. One of his greatest joys was introducing his grandchildren and younger friends to the wonders of the great outdoors where he preferred to be. He loved working the land, hunting and fishing.

The family will have a private graveside service at Myrtle Hill Cemetery on November 26, 2024. Afterwards a reception for close friends and family will be held at the home of Barritt and Emmy Gilbert at 6 Virginia Circle. Memorial gifts may be sent to Darlington School or the Rome Symphony Orchestra.