Ralph Gilbert

Ralph Gilbert On December 1, 2009, Ralph Gilbert, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend to many passed from this life to meet his Lord. He was born July 24, 1929 to Conrad and Clara Gilbert in Portland, Oregon and resided in Lake Oswego until 1971. He graduated from Lincoln High School and attended Lewis & Clark College and Graduated from University of Oregon in 1951. He married Frances Megale in 1951 and joined the Air Force. They had 3 boys: Matthew, Jonathan & Vincent. He worked for Oregon Portland Cement until 1964. At that time he started Columbia Sand & Gravel. He was the founding President of OCAPA (Oregon Concrete & Aggregate Producers Association). In 1986, he married his current wife, Susan and in that same year, started East County Recycling, one of the first companies of its type in the Portland area; where it remains the leading recycling facility of mixed solid waste. Ralph was a true entrepreneur and innovator in his field. His son Vince joined him in 1991 and continues in his place. He was a member of Columbia Presbyterian Church, Royal Oaks County Club, a past board member of the Oregon Zoo and sponsor of two children's classes with "I Have a Dream Foundation of SW Washington". He also donated his time and flying skills to Young Life. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, skiing, golf and river rafting and had been a private pilot for 64 years. For the past eight years, he and Susan enjoyed winters in Maui and were associate members of Keawalai Congregational Church in Makena. Ralph joined Columbia Presbyterian Church in 1993 and treasured his baptism on March 28, 1993. Ralph is known for his deep faith, brilliant smile, positive attitude and being a willing and considerate listener to anyone in need. He is survived by his wife Susan, his sons, Matthew (Diane), Jonathan (Noke), Vincent (Jennifer) and eight grandchildren. Michael (Meggie), Jonathan, Christina, Joseph, Peter, Natalie, Natina and Frank. In Lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorial donations may be made to; Providence Cancer Center Foundation (for "OX- 40" research) 4805 NE Glisan Street, Portland, OR, 97213 Southwest Washington Medical Center (for The Ray Hickey Hospice House) PO Box 1600, Vancouver, WA 98668 Or I Have a Dream Foundation of Southwest Washington (for Scholarship fund) c/o The Community Foundation of Southwest Washington 1053 Officers Row, Vancouver, WA 98661 A Memorial Service celebrating Ralph's life will be held on Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 1:00PM at Columbia Presbyterian Church 805 Columbia Ridge Drive, Vancouver, WA 98664 (360)694-7549 Website for map and directions www.columbiapresbyterian.org Please sign the guest book at www.evergreenmemorialgardens.com

Ralph Gilbert

July 24, 1929 - December 1, 2009