Roberta Louise Gilman

“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage”

Roberta Louise Gilman passed away peacefully on March 14, 2024 in Thousand Oaks, California. She was born in Pasadena, California on February 20, 1943.

As a graduate of UCLA with a degree in Physical Education, she became a PE teacher and coach at Indio High School, San Jacinto Unified High School, Moreno Valley High School and San Marcos High School (Santa Barbara).

After losing her first husband and high school sweetheart, William Earl Gilman III, she moved from Hemet, California, to Santa Barbara, California, in 1977 with her two children, Gretchen, age 7 at the time, and Bill, age 5. She then pursued advanced degrees at UC Santa Barbara. She earned two Master’s Degrees, one in History and one in Composition and Reading. She also earned a PhD in History, all the while working as an instructor at Santa Barbara City College and then a lecturer at UCSB for 25 years.

Roberta married Robert F Wilson on July 15, 1984. He was, and continues to be, a devoted stepfather to Gretchen and Bill. Roberta and Robert loved to visit national parks and travel to Flagstaff and Winona, Arizona. They went on daily walks, played lots of cards, and rooted on the Bruins and Clippers basketball.

Roberta was also a very strong woman; an athlete, coach, disciplined and active. She was a passionate intellectual who found her purpose and happiness in learning and educating others.

Most importantly, Roberta was a very loving mother and grandmother.

Roberta is survived by her husband, Robert F Wilson, daughter, Gretchen Gilman Graves (spouse Dan Graves) , son, Bill Gilman (spouse Heather Gilman), grandchildren Joshua Graves, Margot Graves, Gus Gilman and Wiley Gilman, as well as her brother, Larry Kugler (spouse Marianne Kugler) and Gregg Gilman Uncle to Bill and Gretchen.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Roberta on June 9, 2024, at St. Mark’s Episcopal in the Valley, 2901 Nojoqui Avenue in Los Olivos, California, 2pm.