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These will be shared with Jaylee Mead
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Jaylee and Gilbert Mead
Please post your tributes and memories of Gilbert Dunbar Mead, 1930-2007. These will be shared with Jaylee Mead and family.
Jaylee and Gilbert Mead
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- Tributes to Gilbert Mead
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25 comments:
I had the priveledge to have known Gilbert for such a short time (as a member of the CFSWC board)and witnessed firsthand his passion for our community.
I know that very few people from the area really knew Gilbert personally. Many may have heard of his good deeds from the past and the present.
However, it is future generations who will know Gilbert Mead as the native son who so generously contributed to our communities because he cared so deeply about our future.
God bless Gilbert Mead. He has done wonderful things for his two home towns! I agree --- future generations will also know how he cared.
Our community is a better place, the community foundation is a stronger organization, and I am a better person for having known Gilbert Mead. He was respected, loved by many and will be missed by everyone who had the opportunity to benefit from his wisdom.
I learned a great deal about what true philanthropy is from Gilbert – it is giving of oneself with passion, integrity and for the common good. Gilbert was not afraid to challenge the status quo – to ask the difficult questions. He asked for and supported courageous leadership. However, his motivation in doing so was to foster excellence in both individuals and organizations.
God Speed Gilbert Mead, you will be missed. Your legacy of courageous leadership, philanthropy, and hope will continue to unfold and grow in our community - and you will live forever in my heart.
~ Kelly Lucas, President & CEO, Community Foundation of Greater South Wood County, Wisconsin Rapids, WI
What a wonderful man, and how lucky we are to have known him. I, too, only knew Gilbert a short time, but it didn't take long for the force of this amazing personality to hit. His generosity to our theater group in terms of a community challenge alone is awe-inspiring, but his guidance and passion for this community has literally saved us from disappearing altogether.
I will miss him. I will miss the joy and gusto with which he approached everything in life, and the fact that being around him made you sit up straighter, think before speaking, and always come away inspired.
He leaves behind many who love him and feel his loss deeply. My thoughts and prayers are with them all.
On the few occasions that I had the privilege of spending time with the Meads, I enjoyed the easy camaraderie that Gilbert and Jaylee shared.
The Meads were in attendance the day we announced our campaign for the new WRCT theatre. He was entertaining us with stories about their years with the theatre group of which they were a part. Mr. Mead lost his train of thought for a second, and said, "Now, where was I?" Mrs. Mead chimed in, "You were just getting to the part about how I starred in a musical," after which he laughed heartily.
My thoughts are with Mrs. Mead and their family. Mr. Mead, you left the world a better place just by being here. Thank you for everything you've done for WRCT, and for the Wisconsin Rapids Community.
I am privileged and honored to have met the Meads. Jaylee's energy and Gilbert's thoughtful intelligence inspire me, and their truly genuine and honest way of speaking their minds always made me look forward to our recent meetings with them. I regret that I had but a short acquaintance with Mr Mead, yet feel enriched by having had a few personal moments with a fine man.
Gilbert was always genuinely interested in learning about people. When he joined the Community Foundation board, he suggested casual, fun get-togethers – with the emphasis on getting to know each other. At one summer gathering of board and staff and spouses, we had planned pontoon rides on the Wisconsin River, but it started to rain softly. One by one, almost everyone declined, but not Gil and Jaylee; Gilbert said, “I’m ready; that’s why I’m dressed this way” – in summer garb and his trademark suspenders (rather than a suit with one of his colorful ties).
So, we found jackets and blankets to brave the elements, and what a wonderful boat ride we had in the rain as Gilbert told stories about growing up nearby. Afterward, we sat on the screen porch and talked about familiar faces and places. This special evening wouldn’t have happened if Gilbert had not suggested, “Let’s do something fun – that’s what I’m talking about!!”
He’s made the world a better place, not only through his generosity, but also through his fun, can-do personality, great insight and intelligence, and his love of the arts. It's hard to say good-bye to a true original, but his creative spirit will inspire me always. Jaylee, we love you, and you are in our thoughts and prayers every day.
Gilbert's commitment to humanity inspirted me to be a better human being. His love for this community grounded him with roots to his home town.
When I first met Gilbert, my first impression was,"Wow, he is so focused!" Always an active listener for details, Gilbert often helped to take my focus towards a new way of seeing things. He was a man of vision and wisdom.
But, Gilbert also had a less serious side to him which I enjoyed. He could tell a good joke and knew how to get those around him to laugh. He loved to live life with gusto.
I will remember forever his passion, humor, and suspenders.
Guadalupe Ancel
Wisconsin Rapids
I am honored and priveledged to have known Gilbert through our work on the CFSWC board. I sensed his passion and caring disposition from the first time I met him. Each time Gilbert and Jaylee visited our community, they spent their time with people, giving of themselves and their resources. Your gifts and gift of yourself will not only "live on" in our community but in the hearts of those you touched for the rest of our lives.
The beauty of Gilbert (and Jaylee) Mead manifested itself in the selfless giving to so many organizations. What a testimony to have so many people say such nice things about a person who touched their lives so briefly.
He was a quietly powerful man who saw the benefit in many people working toward a goal, and so he initiated the Community Challenge to make the new Wisconsin Rapids Community Theatre facility a reality. How wise to know that such an effort would serve to bring people together with a sense of ownership in the project.
The matching funds were offered with no strings attached. He was a philanthropist in the purist form of the word. I too feel blessed to have crossed paths with him and Jaylee, even if for only a brief moment in time.
Gilbert Mead was the kind of man who stood up for the causes in which he so fervently believed, but who, personally, preferred to stand well back from the limelight; who gave generously, but never sought gratitude or praise; who advocated passionately and tirelessly on behalf of his home town, while living nearly 1,000 miles away; whose spirit was resolute and whose heart was always open to serve others.
I share everyone's sense of privilege and awe at having had the opportunity to be acquainted with this champion. May we all strive to match his dedication, his faith, and his belief that, with just a little help, we can all work together to achieve the miraculous.
My thoughts are with Jaylee, the rest of Gilbert's family, and everyone else who has been touched by the indomitable spirit of this most remarkable man.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Posner
Orange, CA
We may never realize the extent to which our community has been touched by Gilbert and Jaylee, but I'm confident and grateful that it will last forever. May we all aspire to make the world a better place as well as Gilbert has.
Ann L Saris, CEO, Girl Scouts of Woodland Council
I am part of the legacy that Gilbert's generosity has set into motion. I have been entertained in the PAC by the beauty of sound from the piano that you gave. I have participated in the CPI and become a more active resident of Wisc. Rapids. I am looking forward to performances in the new WRCT space and had the opportunity to be a participant in the fund raising events. I have worked with other community members and attended the Advanced Leadership Program. Through all of these opportunities I have gotten to know and appreciate the wonderful people in our town and have grown to love Wisc. Rapids even more. I didn't know Gilbert personally, but I will carry his legacy within me and share it with others. Gilbert didn't just give a gift but he inspired everyone to embrace and carry on his vision by active involvement through his gift. What a visionary! What a gentle man! What a role model! What a blessing. Farewell to a very special individual.
I remember first meeting Gilbert Mead and having a conversation with him about the Community Progress Initiative concept and program plan. I was inspired by Gilbert’s total commitment to be of service to our/his community – and to give back to the place that gave him his foundation in life. His main concern was that his contributions would make a difference to help the community get back on its feet – he felt that it was his responsibility personally and he took that role seriously, although always keeping a sense of humor in life.
I believe that there are a number of people who have contributed to who I am – my friends and family – colleagues -- and those who inspire me to step beyond what I may be capable of alone or without their influence. Gilbert was one of those people who has inspired me to go beyond what I could possibly tackle without his contributions and influence – through his inspiration and encouragement, I have had the great fortune to be involved in the Community Progress Initiative and the synergy it provides to escalate all of our actions to “boldly go where we have never been before”. (he was, after all, a scientist at NASA!).
Thank you, Gilbert Mead for “making it happen!”
And to Jaylee – my thoughts are with you and all of Gilbert’s family (particularly, Ruth) – may his memories bring inspiration and strength always. Take care.
Connie Loden, President
Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance
Gilbert had the foresight to recognize the importance of leadership in the community and the desire to educate people to become better.
Thanks to Gilberts awareness and generosity, the Advanced Leadership Institute program and Building Better Boards program through the Community Progress Initiative have helped educate leaders of all types by bringing organizations, ethnic groups, government, and business together to create community through communication, and awareness.
As a participant in both programs, I give my heartfelt thanks to the Mead family for their generosity and my sympathies for their loss. Gilbert will be warmly remembered.
Joseph M. Terry P.E.
Engineer/Administrator
Village of Port Edwards
"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."
~Abraham Lincoln
The Port Edwards Education Foundation is very fortunate to have been one of the recipients of the Barker Mead Matching Grant. This support has enabled us to increase the number of grants for educational enrichment in the Port Edwards Schools. The financial assistane has also made it possible for us to partially fund a scholarship for an underclassman to attend a special summer program.
I never had the opportunity to meet Mr. Mead personally, but what a wonderful and caring man he must have been.
Sincerely,
Ed Heuer - President, Port Edwards Education Foundation
Gilbert was an inspiration to me and the community. His passion to give back to this community has and will profoundly benefit all citizens now and in the future.
My favorite recollection of Gilbert was his delight in becoming a landowner and landlord with the purchase of the foundation building. According to Gilbert, be believed that was his best investment in a long time.
Our community owes Gilbert, Jaylee, Ruth and Hartley a tremendous debt of gratitute for all they've done.
Jaylee, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Having lived in this area my entire life, the Mead family has always been an amazing influence on the community. As a child, I spent many summers with Mrs. Emily Mead Baldwin Bell and her grandchildren. We also spent many social occasions with Stanton and his wife Vi. They were all such "larger than life" characters, but always had the Wisconsin Rapids community first in their hearts.
That is why I am so grateful to Gilbert and Jaylee and Ruth and Hartley for choosing to return to their roots, as Ruth Barker calls it, their "heart home." Our community will forever benefit from their generosity.
My sympathies go out to the entire Mead family at this time.
Fondly,
Leslie Veneman Arendt
The Mead family has done so much for the communities in the Wisconsin Rapids area. You all are most gracious and giving folks. I am so happy to have been able to meet Gilbert and Jaylee Mead. Both have inspired me to keep on doing something for my community.
Jaylee, the small community of Vesper has benefited beyond words, because of the generous gifts from your family. We will always remember the gift that gave us a liftoff to a better life for all the people in the Vesper area. When I walk or ride my bike around our community I see positive changes occurring. The seeds have been planted! Thank You so much....this comes from my heart! God bless you and your family. The Mead family will always be remembered for helping and inspiring others to work together to help themselves.
Ruth Cline
Vesper Progress Team Chairperson
In 2004, a small group from South Wood County went to Omaha, Nebraska to attend a workshop on rural community development. It was during this workshop that I was introduced to Gilbert. He had made special arrangements to travel from Washington DC to meet with us in Nebraska. I was immediately impressed with Gilbert’s enthusiasm and passion for helping our community, the same community that he had grown up in but had not lived in since his childhood. I found Gilbert incredibly open, honest, and energizing to be around. Over the ensuing years, I had the honor to work with Gilbert as a board member of the Community Foundation of Greater South Wood County. Gilbert has left a lasting legacy on those he touched in greater South Wood County. Gilbert was a true philanthropist whose gifts transcended mere financial giving. His greatest gifts were instilling a sense of hope and courage in those he touched. He has truly inspired an entire community to create a vibrant community.
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Gil's passing, even though it was over a year ago. I've had the joy of working with Gil and Jaylee at Goddard Space Flight center in the 1970s in their annual musical theater productions. Whether on stage, in the orchesta pit, or behind the scenes, their joy and enthusiasm were just the thing needed to kickstart a production and get it flying. I played in the orchestra pit in every show during the time I worked there because they made it so much fun. I can hardly wait to get to heaven and see what production he's got running there!
--Matt Dudzinski
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