Kenneth Mark Gilson

Kenneth Mark Gilson (lovingly known to many as Kenny) was born to H.M. and Rosetta Bell Stinson on August 29, 1932 in Nebraska City where he was raised. Kenny went into the US Army in January 1953. After basic training at Ft Riley, KS, he shipped out to Japan. He fell ill along the way and was hospitalized for thirty days. During his hospitalization his unit went on to the frontlines in Korea. His illness saved him from the front line. Instead he got orders to join a new unit to work on Radar Operated 75mm antinaircraft guns. He was the first person to operate the 75mm anti aircraft gun. At one time he found enemy aircraft, let the Air Force know and they scrambled fighter jets. Another time he saw an American plane go off radar and sent pilots to find the missing plane. In December 1954 he got orders to go home. After returning to the United States, he went on to work at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for over 40 years maintaining then becoming in-charge of all the heating and air conditioning for both East and West campuses.

He met the love of his life, Janet Birkmann, and married her on Flag Day, June 14, 1956. Together they loved to go to dances, attend car shows and Swap Meets.

Their son, Philip, was born December 19, 1961 followed by their daughter, Cynthia, April 5, 1967. Kenny loved spending time with his family whether it was hanging out in the garage with him working on cars or the Friday night dinner tradition of cheeseburgers, french fries, and donuts.

In his lifetime he built two homes and remodeled several houses. He loved restoring cars. He once counted over 100 cars he had restored and/or owned. Saying he was a car enthusiast is to put his love of cars mildly. On any given Saturday, except during Husker football season, you could find him in his garage working on a car or something for a car. Some of the cars he enjoyed remodeling were a 1910 Buick, several Model T’s, Model A’s, Thunderbirds, Mustangs, a 1964 Jaguar, and a 1978 Mercedes.

Before and after retiring from the University he loved spending time with his grandsons attending their games and school music concerts, making things for them like a rocking horse and rocking Cushman scooter, or just teasing them! He enjoyed many birthday parties and family gatherings over the years. He even learned how to drive a left-hand drive car so he could get to the hospital in England after his first grandson was born.

One of his and Janet’s favorite things to do in retirement was to go for drives to Nebraska City, southeast Nebraska and occasionally into Iowa. They loved grabbing their Pepsi or Coke plus some snacks for their drives. They would sometimes stop in antique stores along the way. It seems as if there wasn’t an antique clock he could not pass upon.

Kenny passed away peacefully on October 14, 1932 just after his 90th birthday. He was greatly loved and will be sorely missed by Janet, his wife of 66 years; son Philip (Jodi) Gilson; daughter Cynthia (Steven) Maller; grandsons Sam, Ethan, Alex, Ben; and many other relatives, friends and neighbors. The family wishes memorials to Dementia Society of America.