Howard Gilbert, former JUF-JF Board member (1971-1980) and past owner/director of Camp Agawak in Minocqua, Wisconsin, passed away in late October. He and his late wife, Barbara, served on JUF’s Legacies and Endowments Committee and its Silver Circle Committee. His earliest recorded gift to the Jewish Federation came in 1952. Gilbert was a past president of the American Jewish Committee and several other philanthropic organizations.

He was also a decorated World War II Air Force officer, who had been shot down in Europe. JUF President Steven B. Nasatir recalls once praising Gilbert for his valor during the war. Gilbert replied humbly to Nasatir that what he had done was a small matter in comparison to the thousands and thousands of American servicemen who had experienced more pain and sacrifice. “Clearly, Howard did not consider himself a hero though I did and still do,” Nasatir said. “He was a humble man-a very good Jew-and a great American. I will remember him with fondness.”

Gilbert’s late wife, Barbara (nee Rosenstone), was the first female board chair of CJE SeniorLife; they were married for 64 years until her passing in December, 2016. Together, they supported many causes, from cultural institutions to hospitals. Gilbert is survived by: his children, Peggy (David) Kubert, James (Gail) Gilbert, and Andrew (Maureen) Gilbert; his grandchildren Joseph, Kate, and Jonathan Kubert, and Nathan, Alexander, Jacob, Jean-Paul, Loie, and Max Gilbert; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Risia Mendelson, and his brother, Arthur Gilbert. Services were held at Weinstein & Piser Funeral Home, with interment at Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the American Jewish Committee.