Robert Gilbertson

Robert (Bob, Gilby) Gilbertson, 75, Bismarck, passed away September 27, 2024, at Good Samaritan Care Center, after some health issues. 

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, November 4, 2024, at Bismarck Funeral Home in Bismarck, North Dakota. Family will be greeting guests one hour prior to the service, lunch to follow.

Bob “Gilby”, was born January 28, 1948. He went to school and graduated at Steele-Dawson and attended ND State School of Science.

Bob was engaged to Nicolette (Nikki) Hopkins on November 21, 1973, and married May 25, 1974. They made their lifelong home in Bismarck in 1992 with a four-year stint in California, in 1988. They were blessed with the birth of their son, Alan, in 1977.

Bob/Gilby’s passion was his love for cars, football and being the biggest prize hound on radio stations; he was always winning prizes. He also enjoyed mall walking, and getting together with friends.

He loved his cat, Lucky, spending time on Facebook, playing online poker, and “cooking dinner” at Dennys. His family and friends will dearly remember him joking around with them. Often, he would be seen wearing his cowboy hat, or a funny saying shirt.

Bob/Gilby worked at Kirkwood Standard, Kmart Lumberyard in the 80’s, Express way Honda before moving to California, Blacks Towing while living in California, when he came back to ND he worked for OK Tire and then at Cloverdale, before going back to OK Tire as a warehouse manager in the 2000s and later retiring.

He is survived by his one son, Alan (Jamie) Gilbertson; granddaughter, Kayla Gilbertson and grandson, Carson Gilbertson; 12 step grandkids; 1 step great granddaughter; numerous nieces and nephews and a couple of his foster siblings.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Nikki; parents; Art and Helen Gilbertson; his in-laws, Warren and Barbara; and infant son, Duane. And a few of his foster siblings.

We would like to say a very special thank you – to his hospice group, Lola, and meals on wheels for getting him through the last year and a half.

• On winding roads where the engines purr, A man once roamed, in a world of blur. 
• Classic cars gleamed under the sun, Each one a story, a life well-spun.
• With a hand on the wheel, he’d drive with pride, A heart full of dreams, no place to hide. 
• From shiny Chevys to Mustangs that roar, Each ride was a journey, each turn an encore.
• He’d share tales of freedom, of joy, and of speed, A passion for life that we all would heed. 
• In every engine’s hum, in every tire’s song, He found a rhythm, where he belonged.
• Though the keys are now silent, the garage is still, 
• His spirit drives on, with unyielding will. In the roar of the past, in the sunsets we see, 
• He’ll always be cruising, forever free.

Three words that sum up the life of our loved one Bob/Gilby - Family, Classic Cars, Music