Brad E. Gilbert

Brad Evan Gilbert left this earth on Saturday, October 12, in the early afternoon. We like to think that he took off as if on his typical fall mountain bike ride in the Boulder foothills with Grateful Dead tunes full blast in his ear buds, but this time he was in the heavens above and relieved of a brain disease that tortured him and his family for the past four and a half years. The diagnosis of this disease occurred when Brad was 59 and Brad died at age 65. 

Brad was a man of humor, adventure, courage, and generosity. Brad was a man who loved literature and the written word. He loved to hold and read books, the daily print newspapers. Fictional writing was his literary preference. When he was first diagnosed with frontal temporal dementia in Feb 2020, he started rereading every book in his library and then, due to the early Covid shutdown, his friends started sending him books to read from across the country as libraries were closed. Once our local library reopened, Brad could check out books in record numbers and satisfy his obsession. It calmed him at a time when there seemed to be nothing we could do. Brad did quickly identify a meaningful path that provided some hope. He courageously participated in critical genetic studies to help address a cure for frontal temporal dementia and at the end of his life donated his remains to research. This was in keeping with Brad’s character – seeing something through to the end, not doing it half assed, as he’d say, and helping someone else in need, even if you don’t know them today. 

While it has been painful for those closest to him to watch this rapid decline of a very lighthearted, athletic, scholarly and vibrant man, we are reminded that Brad lived a very full life of doing it while you can, and his way of living gives reflection on what really matters, each day. Brad always said, “I’m very blessed and thankful that this day is possible.” as he hit the slopes or trail… as he was grateful for having shaped and mastered a work-life-love balance that allowed him to enjoy his passions in his 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. He really made it look so simple and possible. Never a regret or a complaint about what he could have done or should be doing. He leaves a legacy of life lessons and appreciation to his son Miles Duran Gilbert and Brad’s life partner, Benita Duran. They’ve traveled with him on this long journey and are relieved to have personally survived their personal battle with this disease. 

Brad built a business and contributed to the local economy of Boulder through People Productions, a multimedia production house that he owned and nurtured in Boulder for over 25 years. He sold the business to his once-intern Don Poe, when Miles graduated from Boulder High School. While being a business owner and operator, Brad was also known as the Gluten Free Snowboarder and the friend to count on to be ready to go to catch the fresh powder and first tracks with adventure-seeking compadres. He was the one who a tribe of men counted on any weekday in Colorado, Canada and Alaska. 

Brad also loved the simple pleasures of an afternoon trail bike ride or hike in Colorado; and met people who became his best friends in Boulder at the recreation center basketball and Grass Roots Ultimate frisbee. All treasured memories of relationships that formed through enjoying simple pleasures. 

In the past two years, Brad has been viewing the peaks of Colorado from a place on top of a hill that had made Brad’s life loving, safe, and comfortable near Morrison, Colorado. Urslamarie Martinez and her team at Morrison Manor are exceptional care givers and became Brad’s family of support and love. Brad could not verbalize due to this disease but found a way to be heard and known in a community that loved him dearly. Their fine food prepared by Dave, the Grateful Dead music blasting from the kitchen speakers, and all the special attention of the staff and the All-Seasons Hospice support made a great difference in the quality of his time.

Brad was born in New York City and grew up across the bridge in Ft Lee, New Jersey. Brad ventured from Ft Lee High School to Amherst College (Class of 1981) and found his way to Boulder, Colorado while visiting Cousin Karen on a summer internship. Brad loved the Colorado mountains, the outdoors, and he found solace in the four seasons of the great outdoors. He met a Colorado gal through a City of Boulder volunteer project, and they were attracted as opposites often are, they married, then divorced, but stayed together, with two houses for one son in the same neighborhood. They vacationed together, shared meals, dogs, holidays, many laughs and no regrets. Brad is also survived by his loving brother Paul Gilbert, Paul’s dear wife Wendi; his sister-in-law Allison, and four nieces and nephews (Jason, Aimee, Samantha, Josh) who he loved and so enjoyed traveling with over the years. 

Brad cared about helping others. It wasn’t enough to just have his own. If you’d like to donate to a worthy cause that Brad has been supporting for decades: The Boulder County Community Foundation, Gilbert’s Smiles for Miles Fund www. https://comm-found.networkforgood.com (if check - write fund name on the check). We welcome all friends and family to join at a memorial celebration of Brad Gilbert on Sunday, October 27th at 2 PM – 6 PM at the Whimsy Farm, 7929 Valmont Road, in Boulder. Come share a story, laughs and join us in a meal. For more information contact bduran80304@comcast.net.