Douglas R. Gilbert's Obituary
Douglas Russell Gilbert, 80, of Grand Haven, MI, passed away on June 18, 2023. He was born August 14, 1942, in Muskegon, MI, to Russell and Carmen Gilbert. Douglas was a devoted husband and amazing father. Witty and wise with unpredictable humor, conversations with Douglas were always memorable. He had many life-long friends who will remember him for his kind and generous heart and unwavering faith in God.
Douglas graduated from Holland High School in Holland, MI, in 1960. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences and Art from Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI, in 1964. He later earned a Master of Science degree in Photography from the Institute of Design at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, IL, in 1972, and a Master of Social Work degree from Salem State College in Salem, MA, in 1993.
Douglas was a serious photographer since the age of fourteen. He joined the staff of LOOK magazine in New York as the second youngest photojournalist in the magazine's history when he was just twenty-one. His work took him around the world, and he told the stories through his lens. He was an Assistant Professor of Art at Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL from 1972 - 1983. In 1983 he moved with his wife and 3 daughters to New England to pursue Architectural Photography and later a career as a faith based social worker. He was ALWAYS an artist, and his work has been published in countless national and international publications such as LIFE, The Saturday Evening Post, and Glamour. His work is in the permanent collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, The Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena CA, and the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, as well as in many private and institutional collections. Forever Young, a group of photographs of Bob Dylan from an unpublished LOOK story, is his fourth book. In recent years, his work has been featured in documentaries, books, magazines, and other media. His complete body of work is archived at Grand Valley State University in Michigan. You can learn more about his amazing life and see his images at https://douglasrgilbert.com
Douglas is survived by his wife, Barbara Gilbert (McDonald); his daughters, Rachel Kokosenski, Robyn (Darin) Ensing, and Anne (Josh) Carpenter; his brother, Greg Gilbert; his grandchildren, Chloe Ensing, Nick Kokosenski, and Lucas Carpenter and numerous friends and former students. He is preceded in death by his father, Russell Gilbert; his mother, Carmen Gilbert; and his brother, Jerry Gilbert.
Douglas was a member at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Grand Haven, MI. where a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 23, 2023, with Rev. Charles Schwartz as celebrant. Visitation at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church will be one hour prior to the Mass. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made in Douglas's memory to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at https://bit.ly/DRG_JDRF_Fundraiser Arrangements entrusted to The VanZantwick Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 620 Washington Ave., Grand Haven, MI 49417. Share memories with the family at their online guest book at www.sytsemafh.com.
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