Orlo Gilbert

Orlo Raymond Gilbert, 73, of Detroit Lakes, Minn., died May 28, 2012, in his home surrounded by family and dear friends after a 10-year battle with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL).Orlo was born Oct. 8, 1938 on a ranch in Belle Fourche, S.D. to Floyd Parker Gilbert and Alice Sorenson Gilbert. He was the conductor of the symphony orchestra and professor of music at Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, for 31 years. He retired in 2000 after 39 years of teaching. Orlo began his career as band and orchestra director at San Diego Academy, where he also served as an adjunct teacher at nearby Southern Missionary College, now Southern Adventist University. In 1969, SMC hired him as full-time orchestra director and teacher in strings.As an accomplished violinist, Orlo was one of the pioneers of the Suzuki method of learning and built one of the largest Suzuki string programs in the Southeast. When he began his work at SMC, he inherited a string program that had been in decline. Within a decade the program was flourishing and continues to flourish under the direction of former students. In addition, he built a large and accomplished orchestra which still attracts many of the best string players in the denomination.An extensive and successful tour of the Orient in 1979 set the stage for what would become the largest and one of the most successful orchestras in the circle of Adventist colleges and universities. In the next two decades they would take ten more tours and play in Carnegie Hall. During the 1999-2000 school year, Orlos final season conducting the orchestra, they performed ten different programs in 29 concerts.A 1969 graduate of La Sierra College, Riverside, Calif., Orlo pursued graduate study at the University of Minnesota and James Madison University in Virginia. He completed a Masters degree at JMU in 1967 and in 1997 was granted the first honorary doctors degree by newly renamed Southern Adventist University, in recognition of his work with the orchestra. He was also honored at the Chattanooga Symphonys final concert of the 1999-2000 season for his 33 years as a violinist in the orchestra and was awarded the SAU Distinguished Service Medallion during the 2000 graduation weekend.Orlo and his wife, Ellen, daughter of Harold and Aletha Olson of Detroit Lakes, Minn., retired to Detroit Lakes where they operated the Riverside Resort, a family owned business developed many years ago by Ellens parents. Orlo and Ellen had been operating it during the summers for 22 years. In 2005 they sold the business to be able to travel and spend more time with their family.Orlo continued in retirement to pursue his lifelong interest in rebuilding and showing antique cars. As President of the 412 Lakes Chapter of AACA, Orlo organized 2 national meets held in Detroit Lakes and served as a Minnesota Region board member and judge. During this time he also restored five cars including two family heirlooms, a 1914 Willys Overland Knight and a 1941 Ford Woody for which he received top national awards for restoration.Orlo was also a pilot and flight instructor, enthusiastic snow skier, and water sports enthusiast. A guy who could fix anything, he was a frequent visitor to the guarded back room at Ace Hardware. Always a loving, attentive father, he was also a playful, beloved grandfather. He and Elen were residing at their lake home in Detroit Lakes at the time of his death.He is survived by his wife, Ellen Olson Gilbert of Detroit Lakes; a son, Phillip Evans Gilbert and his wife Beth Horslev Gilbert, of Berkeley Lake, Ga.; a daughter, Mary Alice Gilbert Kerford, of San Francisco, Calif.; grandchildren, Elena Gilbert, Ava Gilbert, Georgia Kerford; a brother, Don Gilbert and his wife Irene Julius Gilbert, sister-in-law, Sue Olson Smith and husband, Millard Smith and sister-in-law, Sally Olson Tuck; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and his faithful Shih Tzu, Prince Harry.A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 21, at 11 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes, Minn.An alumni memorial concert is being planned at SAU in October. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Orlo Gilbert Endowment Fund, c/o Southern Adventist University, P.O. Box 370, Collegedale, TN 37315-0370.Memories may be shared with the family online at www.daviddonehower.com.David-Donehower Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.