Ronald Douglas, Ron, Ronnie, Gilbert passed away on December 14, 2025. Ron was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on September 17, 1943, the son of James Russell and Corinne Wheeler Gilbert. He graduated from Catonsville High School in 1961. At Susquehanna University, he majored in accounting, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in 1965. It was there that he met Ann Elizabeth Gilbert, the woman who would become his wife. They were married for 59 years.
Ron began a 25-year career in corporate America, along the way earning an MBA in Professional Management from Pace University in 1970. Then, in 1990, Ron and Ann were presented with the opportunity to own their own business, Drummer Boy Camping Resort, in Gettysburg, PA. They accepted that opportunity and went on to own, operate, and love Drummer Boy until selling the business and retiring in 2006. Throughout his career, Ron actively served on numerous professional and civic Boards of Directors.
Ron and Ann loved to travel, and after retiring, they embarked on worldwide travel to over 25 countries. Ron was a huge fan of his hometown teams, the Baltimore Orioles, Colts, and Ravens. He adopted “cheffing,” or cooking, as his retirement hobby.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents and his step-brother, Nelson Driver Gilbert, as well as stepmothers Gertrude and Louise.
In addition to his wife Ann, Ron is survived by his daughter Suzanne and her husband David Gonick and their daughter Sarah, his son Peter and wife Megan Gilbert and their children Lillian, Devin, and Madeleine, along with several nieces and nephews, and numerous cousins.
A Spirit of Life Service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, Jan 31, 2026, at Trinity United Church of Christ, 60 East High St., Gettysburg, PA, with a reception on site following the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Unitarian Universalists Of Gettysburg (uugettysburg.org), or to your favorite charity.