In a word, “everything” fascinated Howard Gilbert. That’s how his wife, Jacqueline Gilbert, describes her late husband.

“He was interesting and interested in things,” she said. “He was not a narrow person in any sense of the word, from being a bird watcher and nature lover to a problem solver of all kinds.”

Gilbert–a Jewish communal leader, a devoted family patriarch, an attorney, and a helper–died on March 27. He was 91.

He was an active corporate attorney or 70 years, a managing partner at Holleb & Coff. He also dedicated much of his law career to pro bono work.

Howard and Jacqueline first met at their synagogue in the 1950s. Married for 63 years–all of which they spent in Skokie and Chicago–they had four children, 12 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.

Jacqueline’s father, Morris Glasser, active in the forerunner to JUF and a past president of Mount Sinai Hospital, took Gilbert under his wing and modeled for him Jewish involvement and activism.

Picking up the baton from his father-in-law, Gilbert was the first co-recipient of JUF’s Davis, Gidwitz and Glasser Young Leadership Award in 1964, which was endowed by Glasser. Gilbert went on to serve on the JUF Board of Directors from 1977-1983. He also held leadership positions with Mount Sinai Hospital, SHALVA, and the Illinois Hospital Association.

“Howard N. Gilbert was a brilliant lawyer and a very committed Jewish leader who lived a full life of meaning with a keen understanding for the needs of others,” said JUF Executive Vice Chairman Steven B. Nasatir.

An observant Jew, Gilbert attended a yeshiva on Chicago’s West Side as an adolescent. Later, he opened Or Torah Synagogue, an Orthodox congregation in Skokie, with his friend Rabbi Eliezer Berkovits.

His Jewish observance informed his career as well as his passion for helping people. “It was just innate to his Judaism,” said Jacqueline, to use his career to help people through his pro bono work on civil rights cases.

As a young lawyer, Gilbert joined the American Civil Liberties Union. His pro bono work focused on helping conscientious objectors, young people arrested for marijuana possession, end-of-life issues, and Modern Orthodox religious issues. He also mentored many rising young lawyers throughout the course of his life.

In the diverse areas of his life, from his legal career to the Jewish community to his family, there was one common thread that ran through it all-helping people. “He was a nurturer,” Jacqueline said. “He believed in everybody and brought out the best in everybody.”

Son of the late Norman and the late Fanny Gilbert; he leaves behind his wife 63 years, Jacqueline Glasser Gilbert; children Ncoom and Chaia Gilbar, Harlan and Judit Gilbert, Joel and Heidi Gilbert, Sharon Gilbert, 12 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; brother Raymond (Sylvia) Gilbert; many, many dear nieces and nephews; and caregiver Geraro Lansang.

Private graveside services were held. Chicago Jewish Funerals. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.