James Horn Gilbert ’43

James Horn Gilbert ’43 died September 4, 2011. Jim grew up in Woodbridge, Connecticut, and graduated from Deerfield Academy. At Dartmouth Jim majored in history, was a member of Sphinx, Psi U, the Glee Club and Fencing Club and played lacrosse. After graduation in December 1942, Jim joined the Marine Corps, serving until 1945 and reaching the rank of captain. His service included two years in the Pacific theater as an 81-millimeter mortar platoon leader. Back in civilian life Jim joined C.W. Blakeslee and Sons Inc., a construction company based in New Haven, Connecticut. He remained with them until retirement in 1976. For 12 years he was president and chief operating officer. Active in civic affairs, Jim served as president of the board of directors of the Yale-New Haven Hospital, director of Connecticut Hospice, chairman of the New Haven Citizens Action Committee, chairman of the Regional Water Authority board and vice chairman of the Woodbridge board of education. Jim also was a director of several banks and businesses as well as president of the Connecticut Society of Civil Engineers and the Prestress Concrete Institute. After retirement Jim volunteered with the International Executive Service Corp., visiting Jakarta, Bangkok and Monterrey, Mexico. He and Patricia Burwell, whom he married in 1946, had a home in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a fine location for fishing and hiking. Pat predeceased him. He is survived by his children William, James, Karen and Suzanne; 14 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.