A Memorial Service for 90-year old Gilbert “Gib” Wilson of Spearfish, SD, who grew up in Chadron, NE, and graduated from Chadron Prep and Chadron State College will be held Saturday, September 11, 2021 at the United Methodist Church in Sundance, Wyo.
Burial will precede the service on Friday, September 10, at the Black Hills National Cemetery at Sturgis, SD.
Memorials may be made to the Crook County Senior Services or the Naomi J. Wilson Memorial Scholarship at Chadron State College, named for Gib’s mother.
Online condolences may be left www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com
The Fidler-Roberts & Isburg Funeral Chapel of Sundance is in charge of arrangements.
Gilbert Hansen “Gib” Wilson was born July 16, 1931 in Lincoln, NE, the son of Curtis and Naomi (Gilbert) Wilson. He died from COVID-19 Monday, August 30, 2021, at Fort Meade VA Medical Center in Sturgis.
Gib’s family moved to Chadron in 1942 and he went on to graduate from Chadron Prep in 1949.
He then attended Chadron State College for three years, but in October 1952 enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and entered the Aviation Cadet program. He graduated in November 1953 with his wings and a commission as a 2nd Lt.
Gib married Delores “Dee” Lind, whom he had met at Chadron State, on November 21, 1953. They moved to Las Vegas, NV, where he attended gunnery school at Nellis AFB before a tour of duty in Korea and Japan.
Gib was assigned to the 336th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Kimpo, South Korea, where he flew the F-86.
Upon returning to the States, he was assigned to the 1st Fighter Day Squadron at George AFB at Victorville, CA, where he flew the F-100. In California, he and Dee lived near the base in Adelanto.
Upon his release from active duty in November 1956, they returned to Chadron where he finished his BS degree in Math and Physics in 1958.
He was awarded a teaching assistantship in the math department at the University of Wyoming, where he received his MS degree in 1960.
What followed then was 31 years of teaching math with faculty positions at Western Wyoming College, North Idaho Junior College, University of Idaho and Blue Mountain Community College before he finished his teaching career at Central Wyoming College at Riverton.
Gib attained the rank of professor and was awarded the title of Emeritus when he retired in 1991.
Gib and Dee lived on a small farm near Riverton for 17 years, but in 1994 they moved to Sundance and bought a ranch where they ran a cow/calf operation for several years. Eventually they sold the cattle so they could travel.
Gib was a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the Mathematical Association of America, Life member of the National Rifle Association, and the F-86 Sabre Pilots Association.
He served on the Board of Directors of Crook County Senior Services for nine years, and the BLM Resource Advisory Committee for three. He enjoyed hunting, reloading, fishing, camping and traveling.
Gib was preceded in death by his wife, Dee; his parents; and his brother Larman.
He is survived by three daughters, Judy Neal of Casper, Wyoming, Linda Fleming of Thornton, Colorado and Shirley Hardeman of Costa Mesa, California; his brother, Douglas; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.