Richard H. Gilbert, Decorated Marine Korean War Veteran, Dies At 87

Richard H. Gilbert, 87 of Beachwood passed away peacefully on Aug. 15, 2016.

Beloved husband of Virginia "Gigi" Gilbert. Loving father of Jeff Clarke, Robert Gilbert and his wife Crisana, William Gilbert and his wife Lydia, Robert Huebner, Nan Owen, Jane Pimentel, and Sally Dunn Huebner. Cherished grandfather of Mollie, Zachary, Andrew, Emily, Bobby, Justin, Nicholas ,Logan, Isabel and Miranda, Greatgrandfather of Jake and Aidan.

He is also survived by many USMC Brothers. Dick proudly served our country during the Korean War. He spent five years with the USMC rising to the rank of Sergeant. Most notably, he participated in the battle of the Chosin Reservoir, in which 12 Chinese divisions consisting of 150,000 soldiers surrounded and were determined to annihilate the 1st Marine division.

This was a 17 -day battle that began in November 1950 during North Korea's coldest winter in a century. The 1st Marine division suffered the loss of 4,385 men to combat and 7,338 to the bitter cold. Dick was awarded a Purple Heart for his selfless actions.

He was past President and a member of the New Jersey Chapter of the Chosin Few, and a member of the Marine Corp League Lacey Township and the Toms River VFW. Dick was a scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 55, and was honored for his tireless work with Ocean County Toys for Tots.

A memorial service will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday Aug. 18, 2016 at the Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals, 145 St Catherine Blvd, Toms River, NJ. There will be a private funeral service at the BG William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Beachwood Volunteer first aide squad.