Walter Douglas Gilbaugh, 87, of Lincoln, NE., passed away Jan. 7, 2015. Doug was born on March 12, 1927 in Alliance, NE to Walt and Alice (Burkett) Gilbaugh and grew up Bingham, NE. His family moved to Gering in 1938. On Dec. 20, 1944, he married Shirley May Melcher. Shortly after their marriage, Doug joined the Navy. His first son, Steve was born in San Diego during Doug’s tour of duty.
Following the war, he entered the Insurance business which his father had established in 1948 in Gering and Doug later became President of the Gilbaugh Insurance Agency. Doug and Shirley had three other children, Bob, Judy and Pat. Doug was an active member of the community and his contributions include the Western Technical Community College Area Board of Governors.
He was a charter member of Gering Jaycees, a long time committee chairman for the Oregon Trail Days, and a member of the Scottsbluff-Gering United Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Elks, Eagles and Moose Lodges, the American Legion, and the Walking Blood Bank. Doug was also member of the First United Methodist Church. Shirley Gilbaugh passed away in 2001. Doug married Pauline Perry in 2003 and moved to Topeka, KS.
After Pauline passed away, Doug moved to Lincoln to live with his daughter Judy King. He began a close and special relationship with Rita Nixon and her family. He spent his time as a volunteer at St. Elizabeth Hospital, going to Husker football games in the fall and weekly coffee meetings with close friends. Doug thoroughly enjoyed Nebraska sports and remained a true ‘Nebraska Fan’ for over 60 years. You could not know Doug without him finding out more about you than you ever knew about him. He loved people.
He was preceded in death by his son, Steve Gilbaugh, his first wife Shirley G and his second, Pauline. Family includes: children, Bob Gilbaugh and Christine Wooller, Judy and Steve King, Pat Gilbaugh and Tom Hutchison; grandchildren Amy (Brad) Hunt, Dan (Susan) King, Ann Bauer, Allison King, Andrea, Kevin, and Brian Gilbaugh; Great-Grandchildren, Spencer and Sydnee Hunt, Jacob and Ellyn King and Lane Bauer.
A Memorial Service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 900 ‘O’ Street in Gering, NE at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 13, 2015.
Memorials to First United Methodist Church, 900 ‘O’ Street, Gering, NE 69341 or Tabitha Hospice, 4720 Randolph, Lincoln, NE 68510.