Keith Lamoine Gilbert

Keith Lamoine Gilbert, 90, of Fort Wayne passed away on June 28, 2023, in Maitland, FL after recently moving to be near his daughter. Born on September 20, 1932, in Bluffton, IN, Keith was the son of Paul and Mary (Dowty) Gilbert. Keith was a proud graduate of Rockcreek High School (only 12 students in his class), growing up on a farm a mile down the road from the school. His Uncle Kenneth encouraged him to pursue an engineering degree and he worked at International Harvester in Fort Wayne to help pay for college. While attending Purdue University, he met Barbara Naab on New Year’s Eve 1953, and they were married on February 5, 1956. After graduating with a degree in Metallurgical Engineering, Keith and Barbara moved to Natrona Heights, PA, where he worked for 30 years at Allegheny Ludlum Steel Co, starting in the research lab and rising to become manager of the stainless-steel mill manufacturing plant. Keith’s passion for serving others and his natural leadership led to positions on several community boards, as well as taking on many responsibilities within the Methodist Church due to his strong commitment and faith. Keith and Barbara became avid Pittsburgh Steeler fans and attended early morning church services – dressed for the cold weather before heading to Three Rivers Stadium to cheer on Bradshaw and the Steel Curtain. After retirement, Keith and Barbara returned to Indiana to help care for both their mothers, who lived to be 92 and 104, respectively. Keith continued working as an entrepreneur and later in the banking business with his partner and long-time friend Walter Riebenack. Keith and Barbara had an amazing marriage, a wonderful family, and a life filled with joy, travel, and friends. His priorities were God, family and friends, and work. Annual vacations and holidays with family often included more than 20 people from 4 generations sharing a house: cooking, playing games, and taking walks on the beach. Keith fished in the Arctic Circle, traveled to Mexico, British Columbia, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, Egypt, Israel, South Africa, and many countries in Europe. His travels also included mission trips to Brazil and Zimbabwe. He and Barbara traveled to the Caribbean and to Florida for many wedding anniversaries, and they commemorated their special 25th and 50th years in Hawaii. Keith was good at celebrating unusual anniversaries as well – and figured out their 10,000th day anniversary; yes, 10,000 days of a loving marriage. The marriage lasted nearly 64 years. One of Keith’s favorite journeys was a mission trip to Zimbabwe where he developed relationships with many of the residents he met, and they stayed in contact throughout the years. Keith always had a passion for helping others and he supported more than 20 people through college. He poured into people not just his generosity but also a genuine curiosity and connection. Those who knew him also found that he was a bit of a jokester and had a great sense of humor. Keith was preceded in death by his wife Barbara, parents, sister (Margaret), and brothers (Duane, Gene, and Lyle). He is survived by his children Fred (Cindy) Gilbert, Jim (Chris) Gilbert, Andrea Worsham, and Brian (Andy) Gilbert; grandchildren Carter Gilbert, Kylie Gilbert, Zach Gilbert, Christian Gilbert, Katie Gilbert, Quinn Gilbert, Karen Gilbert, Becca Gilbert, Hannah Worsham, and Lindsay Worsham; and his sister Ellen Reff. The funeral will be held 11:00 am Saturday July 15, 2023, at D.O. McComb & Sons Covington Knolls Funeral Home 8325 Covington Road Fort Wayne, IN, with visitation from 10-11 a.m. Interment at Markle Cemetery will follow. To join the family and friend virtually, please go to https://www.facebook.com/CovingtonKnolls/ The livestream will start about 5 minutes prior to the service. Keith was a strong supporter of Christian education and health care in Sierra Leone; in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Madina Village School, PO Box 15869, Fort Wayne, IN 46885 (https://madinavillageschool.org/).