Woodward County Obituary
Elmwood Cemetery

© Billings Funeral Home
WOODWARD, WOODWARD CO, OK
permission granted)
Submitted by: Ann Weber

Dr. Craig Christensen Gilbert

October 27, 1939 ~ January 11, 2020

Dr. Craig Gilbert, 80 year old Woodward resident died Saturday, January 11, 2020. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am Thursday, January 16, 2020 in the Billings Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Elmwood Cemetery.

Craig Christensen Gilbert was born on October 27, 1939 in Pocatello, Idaho the son of Milton Layton and Tyra Bodily (Christensen) Gilbert. He was reared in Bancroft, Idaho, where he attended elementary through high school at North Gem Schools graduating in 1958. While Craig was young he worked on the family farm. Craig then attended Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, Utah State University in Logan, Utah and graduated with his B.S. from Weber State University in Ogden, Utah in 1965. Craig then enrolled at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah from 1965 through 1967, graduating with a Masters degree in Social Work. He finished his education at the United States International University in San Diego, California as a part-time student from 1973 through 1979 earning his Ph.D. in Human Behavior.

He was united in marriage to Roberta Vey Haney in Woodward, where they made their home.

Craigs work history includes the L.D.S. Indian foster placement program in Boise, Idaho in 1967; as Clinical Social Worker and Executive Director of the Clark County Family Counseling Service from 1968 until 1973; Assistant Professor of Social Work from 1973 to 1980, and in private practice family therapy from 1975 until 1983 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He also worked for Western State Hospital (now Northwest Center for Behavioral Health) as Director of Family and Forensic Services from 1983 to 1988 in Woodward and Fort Supply; Psychiatric Social Worker at Cowley County Mental Health and Counseling Center, Arkansas City, Kansas from 1988 to 1991; Clinical Social Worker and Director of Clinical Support Services at Western State Psychiatric Services (now Northwest Center for Behavioral Health) from 1991 to 1997; as Director of Inpatient Services from 1997 until 1999 in Fort Supply.

He enjoyed reading and traveling, but most of all he loved his family and enjoyed their company.

As a youth he was active in Boys Scouts of America achieving the rank of Eagle Scout and membership in the Order of the Arrow. As a professional was a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers, Active in the National Association of Social Workers serving on numerous Nevada Chapter committees, as Nevada Chapter Treasurer, as Southern Branch Chair, as Chapter Vice President and President, making presentations at state chapter conferences, co-chairing committee charged with writing Nevada Social Work Licensing Bill, and awarded Nevada Social Worker of the year in 1975. He also served as a Red Cross volunteer and Medical Reserve Corps volunteer, both in Woodward.

Craig served on a church mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from 1959 to 1961 in Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama.

He is survived by his wife Roberta of Woodward; son, Brett Gilbert and wife Krystal of West Jordan, Utah; daughters, Connie Parker and husband Von of Salt Lake City, Utah; Cassie Brouwers and husband Phill of Woodward; son-in-law, Paul Rapp and wife Michelle of Bountiful, Utah; grandchildren, Tiarra Jimenez and husband Brenden; Kyra Torres and husband Chris; Ethan Rapp; Alena Sherman and husband Camron; Ashlyn Gilbert; and Ariah Gilbert; Rachel Liveley; Bryant Liveley; Patrick Brouwers; great-grandchildren, Milo and Cora Torres; and expected great-granddaughter, Sherman; brother, Lyle C. Gilbert; sister, Shauna Yost and husband Mont; many nieces; nephews; other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and daughter, Julie Anne Rapp.