A son of the Show Me State and long-time resident of Missoula, Gary Gilbert, age 83, passed away peacefully of natural causes at Saint Patrick Hospital on August 22, 2026.

Gary was born September 16, 1942 in Brookfield, Missouri to Norman Eugene Gilbert and Leo Vonice (Pullium) Gilbert. He married his high-school sweetheart Katherine “Kay” Burns on October 21, 1963, attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO, and subsequently trained in histotechnology and cytotechnology at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs, CO. With excellent training, intelligence, humility, and an unsurpassed work ethic, Gary devoted his entire 46 years of service and touched countless lives as a histotechnologist and cytotechnologist in the Saint Patrick Hospital Laboratory. His competence and friendly, approachable manner endeared him to his coworkers in the laboratory and to the physicians, nurses, and other staff members at Saint Patrick Hospital.

His many interests included hunting, fishing, camping, long drives in the forests of Western Montana, trap shooting, racquetball, and golf.

Beneath a quiet, determined exterior, Gary was kind, gentle, loving, and funny in his own understated way. He was known for being stubborn, but always with a sweetness that made it impossible not to love him. An amusing quirk was his habit of never sharing from his own plate at dinner while somehow expecting the rest of the family to share theirs. His gentle humor, his kindness, and his deeply sentimental heart are what made him so special and will be missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Greg. He is survived by his wife, Kay, their three daughters, Angela “Angie” Gilbert, Ann Rigg, Aimee Nelson and husband Joe, and granddaughters Mady Rigg and Bailey Rigg.

Following Gary’s wishes, no formal service is planned; his ashes will be scattered by family members in one of his favorite locations in the Western Montana forest.

The Gilbert family is deeply grateful for the excellent care provided by Dr. Michael Caldwell, Dr. Christopher Corsi (now retired), Dr. Todd Maddux, Dr. Tony Lakatua, the Fresenius dialysis staff, and the Providence Saint Patrick Hospital nursing staff. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gary’s name to Providence Montana Health Foundation or a charity of your choice.