Since the age of fourteen, Gilbert suffered from various types of arthritis that left him in constant pain and with impaired mobility. In addition, doctors advised him that his poor health could not handle the stresses of practicing law. For most of his adolescence, Gilbert resisted pastoral ministry, but soon the call to preach became too acute to ignore. Gilbert majored in history, which he enjoyed, but he soon acknowledged that a legal career was increasingly unlikely. He experienced isolation from his classmates, and while some faculty treated him with dignity, others proved overtly racist. The alienation and animosity he felt as a child growing up near the campus continued to form a large part of his experience as a student. Following several years of study at Paul Quinn, Gilbert and his teachers realized a future legal career required he obtain a degree from Baylor University, which had only recently-in November 1963-voted to integrate.Īdministrative and legal decisions do not generate immediate cultural change, a reality that confronted Gilbert as he began his studies at Baylor in summer 1965. Moore High School in 1960, he enrolled at Paul Quinn College. Attending Waco’s segregated schools, Gilbert wanted to be a lawyer advancing the rights of African Americans. The Gilbert household prized faith in God, education, and community service. He was born on December 27, 1941, the fourth child of the Rev. His efforts left an indelible mark on the city and Baylor University. Despite many obstacles, Robert Gilbert offered “no excuses” when he found himself at the forefront of enacting racial integration and advancing civil rights in Waco.
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