GILBERT, A. R. [Alva Richard] "Willie"

GILBERT, FRAZIER, BRIGGS, GLEAZER

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/14/2016 at 09:55:45

Biography ~ Alva Richard "Willie" Gilbert
Graceland University, Lamoni, Iowa

Alva Richard "Willie" Gilbert was born on March 15, 1899, in Weir, Kansas, the son of Elmer E. and Eda J. Gilbert.

He received his B.A. from Kansas State Teachers College in Pittsburg, Kansas in 1921 and arrived at Graceland that fall as an instructor in shorthand and typing. He soon expanded his abilities to lead classes in physical education. He first coached the Graceland men's basketball team in 1921-22. Within a few years, Coach Gilbert developed a reputation as the iron man of Graceland athletics aby assuming the coaching responsibilites for baseball, football, track, and tennis - the entire roster of Graceland varsity athletics. In 1924, Coach Gilbert began a 20-year tenure as Graceland's director of athletics ans assisted with the design of the Zimmermann Hall gynmasium.

In 1925 [1924 by some accounts], Coach Gilbert obtained his Master's in psychology from the University of Iowa. Consequently, he began teaching psychology and philosophy. He married Frances "Frankie" Frazier in 1926. Frances was the women's physical education instructor at Graceland from 1926 to 1931. She supervised women's athletics and directed the gym shows.

Coach Gilbert was named director of physical education in 1927. Coach Gilbert served as director of student personnel affairs and dean of faculty in 1928 [1929 by some accounts].

Coach Gilbert became acting president of Graceland in 1944 to fill the position vacated by the resignation of George N. Briggs. Upon Edmund Gleazer Jr. being named as Graceland's President in 1946, Coach Gilbert returned to his position as dean.

Frankie and Coach Gilbert left Graceland in 1948 so that he could receive his doctorate from Columbia University, New York, in 1949. He then worked for the Consolidated Freightways trucking corporation until 1971, and later established a transportation course at Kansas City Business College.

After Frankie's death in 1977, Coach Gilbert moved back to Lamoni for a while, prior to going to Independence, Missouri where he died on November 5, 1992.

Frances "Frankie" (Frazier) Gilbert was born on January 26, 1904, and died in July of 1977. They were interred at Mound Grove Cemetery, Independence, Missouri.

Coach Gilbert was named as the first member of Graceland's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1982.

SOURCES:

Edwards, Paul M. "The Hilltop Where . . . An Informal History of Graceland College." Pp. 150-51. Venture Foundation. Lamoni IA. 1972.

Goehner, David. “The Graceland College Book of Knowledge: From A To Z.” p. 407. Herald House. Independence MO. 1997.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2016

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