Dr. Verne Ephram Gilbert, of 111 Newton Lane in Oak Ridge, passed away Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017, in a tragic biking accident.
At 85 years old, he was in great shape and was pursuing his love of cycling, when he was stuck by a car.
Dr. Gilbert was a native of Los Angeles, Calif., and graduate of UCLA and University of Maryland medical school.
Gilbert arrived in Oak Ridge with his family in 1970 and set up a private practice as an infectious disease specialist and Internal Medicine physician at Baptist Hospital in Knoxville, where he cared for thousands of patients in East Tennessee. Dr. Gilbert was an avid biker and hiking hobbyist. He traveled the world biking with his wife, Jeannette. He was a member of the Jewish Congregation of Oak Ridge and an Hadassah associate. After retirement from medical practice, Dr. Gilbert began writing. His books included ‟The Romance of Diagnosis," ‟Senior Sporting Adventures," and ‟My Name is Delilah."
Dr. Gilbert is survived by his wife, Jeannette, of Oak Ridge; son, Joel, of Los Angeles; and daughters, Michelle, of Knoxville and Nina, of Modayin, Israel; as well as three grandchildren, Yanai, Adara, and Guy.
A graveside service will be held Tuesday, Feb. 21, at Oak Ridge Memorial Park at 3 p.m.