No Loss for Words

Today was a sad day in Snohomish.  One of the most respected coaches in the history of our community passed away last week.  No, one of the most respected citizens ever in the history of our town passed away last week.

Keith Gilbertson certainly was a legendary coach at Snohomish High School and his athletes will attest to that, but there was so much about Coach Gilbertson that touched lives away from athletic fields.

I have known Keith Gilbertson about 45 years.  He was never my English teacher, he was only my coach for a short time but he was a friend for a lifetime.  I saw him last at the memorial for my wife’s uncle Lawrence “Maggie” Bryant who died last fall at the age of 99.  Coach Gilbertson came to see some of the older residents at Sunrise, the health care facility every week just to visit.  I used to say that he was dropping by to see the old folks, but the truth was that several of them weren’t all that much older than he was.  They were just friends.

That was what Coach Gilbertson was to most of the folks who knew him.  His relationships with his friends may have had their roots in sports, but they friends forever. 

I can’t say how many times he met people in my restaurant to catch up on old times or to talk about problems.  Coach was there for his friends.

The outpouring of love for Coach Gilbertson was felt today at his memorial.  Keith Gilbertson didn’t pass without notice. 

Coach Gilbertson built character in generations of Snohomish athletes and that character will be his legacy more than any record for years or wins or championships.  Coach Gilbertson was well known as a coach, but he is loved as a friend and mentor to thousands of us.

God Bless you Coach Gilbertson!