Obituary of F. Andrew Gilbert

Dr. F. Andrew Gilbert Jr. was born March 15th, 1948 to Franklin and Elvera Gilbert.  He grew up in Sturgeon Bay, WI, then studied at Lawrence University, where he graduated Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry.  He went on to complete his MS and PhD in Paper Chemistry at the Institute for Paper Chemistry. 

Andy worked at Consolidated Papers in Wisconsin Rapids, WI from 1975 until 2006, where he worked as an environmental engineer and developed the ConsoGro program.  After retirement from Stora Enso (previously Consolidated Papers), Andy worked as a consultant for Beneficial Reuse Management. 

Andy served for many years on the Wisconsin Rapids School Board, the Wisconsin Rapids Community Theatre Board, the Board of Directors at the Evangelical Free Church of Wisconsin Rapids, and the Fort Wilderness Board, and was a part of many significant changes, additions, and projects in all four of these capacities.  Andy also refereed various sports for several decades. 

Andy was a dedicated family man who always put his family first.  He spent countless hours with his wife, children, and grandchildren.  He and Selene loved biking, kayaking, hiking, and snowshoeing together, as well as traveling - they have been best friends since they were 16 and 17 in high school. 

After nearly a year of struggles to find a reason for his mysterious and progressive weakness, Andy was diagnosed with ALS in March of 2017.  He went to Heaven mid-afternoon September 28th at Arborview Court in Wisconsin Rapids surrounded by family. 

Andy is survived by his loving wife Selene, daughter Heidi (James, daughters Linnea and Ingrid), son Greg (Sophia, daughter Aletheia), sister JoAnne (Bill, daughters Willa, Sara, Megan, son Tim), brother Doug (Becky, daughters Katie and Jennie) and many other family members, friends, and co-workers. 

A Friday, October 6th funeral is planned at 11am at the Wisconsin Rapids Evangelical Free Church, 611 Cook Ave, with pre-funeral visitation from 10-11am.  Visitation hours will also be held Thursday evening, October 5 from 4-7pm at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home, 2201 Chestnut Street, Wisconsin Rapids, WI.

A heartfelt thank you to the ALS Association of Wisconsin, and for the tender loving care of both the Heartland Hospice team and the staff at Arborview Court who went above and beyond in more ways than can be expressed.  God bless you in your important and beautiful work.