Necrology

Kevin Edward Gilbert '70

Jan. 6, 1949-Oct. 28, 2022

Kevin Edward Gilbert ’70 died on Oct. 28, 2022, in Bloomington, Ind. Born on Jan. 6, 1949, in Brooklyn, N.Y., he grew up in Inwood, Long Island, and came to Hamilton from Lawrence High School in Cedarhurst, N.Y. By the time he arrived at Hamilton, he had already developed an interest in science, which only grew during his time on the Hill. He majored in chemistry and was a member of Chi Psi fraternity. His academic achievements included receiving both the Norton and Underwood prizes, the former for demonstrating “the greatest capacity for research in chemistry” and the latter for excelling in the same subject as a senior. He was also inducted into the Society of Sigma Xi, the scientific research honor society.

A dedicated runner, Kevin was a member of the cross-country and track teams. The 440 relay and the 220 were specialties. He received the Walter L. Ahner Award in both his sophomore and senior years as the most outstanding track man — he earned the greatest number of points during the season — and was elected team captain as a senior. During his junior year he also played intramural hockey and football. Not surprisingly, he was a member of the Block “H” Club throughout his time on the Hill.

From Hamilton, Kevin proceeded to the doctoral program in organic chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, completing his degree in 1974. The title of his dissertation was “Syntheses and Properties of Aliphatic Azo, Azoxy, and Azodioxy Compounds.” From there, he went to the University of Oregon to do postdoctoral work studying thermal rearrangements of small molecules. Of equal importance in Eugene, he met a young woman named Marianne Kielian, who lived upstairs in the building where he resided. She was pursuing graduate studies in music theory. 

In 1976, Kevin left academia for a year to accept a job at Air Products and Chemicals in Allentown, Pa., but when the opportunity presented itself to become a postdoctoral fellow for two years at the University of Washington in Seattle, he took it. Meanwhile, Marianne had accepted a position at Indiana University in 1978 at the Jacobs School of Music, while pursuing a Ph.D. in music theory at the University of Michigan, which she completed in 1981. In 1979, Kevin found employment at Indiana as an associate scientist in the Chemistry Department with responsibilities for courses in organic chemistry, molecular modeling, and chemical informatics, as well as in conducting his own research. Finally reunited, Kevin and Marianne were married on Oct. 6, 1979.

As his career at Indiana evolved, Kevin acquired the position of associate scientist, enabling him to focus exclusively on his research. In 1985, in collaboration with a colleague, he founded Serena Software, a company that developed PCModel, designed to predict molecular properties using then newly available personal computers. The company later developed other programs: Orbdraw, Vibrate, and GMMX. All were intended to support chemical research and courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. They also attracted the favorable attention of several companies. Kevin’s work made him a leading innovator in computational molecular modeling. His devotion to his field is reflected in the fact that for 50 years he was a member of the American Chemical Society.

Kevin was a man of many interests. In addition to camping, bicycling, and hiking, he continued to run and served as a certified official for the Athletic Conference, the U.S. governing body in track and field competitions. He also volunteered with the Indiana women’s track team. At different times he played the violin, the piano, and the recorder, and his enthusiasm for this last instrument led him to become a member of the American Recorder Society. He was a baker of bread and pies, including a pie for each guest attending a holiday gathering. He read widely, learned to tie flies for fishing, and did woodworking.

Kevin E. Gilbert ’70 is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.

Necrology Home