Paul Everett Gilbert, born February 15, 1923 in Minneapolis Minnesota to parents Earnest and Bertha Gilbert, passed away after a long illness November 14, 2011 at home with his loving family by his side. He was 88 years old.

Paul grew up in Bismarck North Dakota where his work ethic, love for the outdoors and devotion to family was instilled in him. In High School he earned letters in football, track and band. After the passing of his father, Paul took care of his mother working full time nights during his high school years. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout which was the start of a scouting career lasting 65 years.

Paul enlisted in the Navy in January 1942 and served in the South Pacific aboard Landing Craft Transports from Australia to Shanghi China. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Asiatic Pacific (4) and Philippine Liberation ribbons while attaining the rank of Chief Motor Machinist Mate. His last service assignment was Operation Crossroads that supported the atomic bomb test and clean up at Bikini Atoll in 1946.

After the service he earned an Industrial Engineering degree from the University of North Dakota. Ten days after graduation he married his college sweetheart, Ila Mae Lohse and they headed to Oakland, CA with everything they owned (car and trailer) - a journey that would last for over 61 years. Paul joined Factory Mutual Engineering in 1954, an industrial loss prevention and insurance company that is today FM Global (not bankrupt MF Global). Paul transferred to Seattle as the on-site rep in 1956 and retired in 1987 as assistant Vice President and District Manager of the Seattle office.

Paul's distinguished volunteer career with the Boy Scouts of America took off in 1970 becoming Scoutmaster of Troop 618 two day's after his son joined the troop. Four fifty mile hikes in the 70's kept him young and fit as well as many nights camping. He would go on to spend 3 years as Cascade District Chairman and 5 years as Chief Seattle Council Commissioner. He attended national BSA meetings starting in 1980 and spent many years as a Member at Large on the BSA National Board. Paul was a staff member at 8 National Jamboree's and 4 World Jamboree's including Assistant Scoutmaster for the Eagle Scout Troop attending the 1976 Bicentennial Jamboree and Scoutmaster at the world Jamboree in Japan. He was awarded the Silver Beaver in 1977, Silver Antelope in 1987 and one of the founding members and original professors of the College of Commissioner Science in 1980.

Paul was an intricate member of American Legion Bellevue Post 239 and spent 5 years as Commander and 2 more as the Finance Officer before his health forced him to step down. As a member of the Post, he spent the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month performing Honor Guard duties at Tahoma National Cemetery.

Married 61 years to Ila Mae, they travelled the world together; Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the Caribbean, seeing the pyramids of Egypt and cruising the Nile, hot air ballooning in Kenya, sailing on the QE2 to England and then flying back to NY on the Concord. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Kauai with family and friends. If Paul wasn't travelling or volunteering he was working in his yard gardening or maintaining his home of 45 years. He loved reading, bowling, golfing, woodworking, jigsaw and crossword puzzles and member of the 1st United Methodist Church. He was a man of integrity and honor; he loved his family and friends, God and country. He will be deeply missed.

He is survived by his wife Ila Mae, daughter Cheryl Gilbert - Davies (Ken) of Kirkland, son Paul Jr (Sandra) of Covington, granddaughter Mckenna Davies, grandsons Ryan and Grant Gilbert, Andy and Ben Davies. In lieu of flowers please send donations to The Boy Scouts of America.