Michael (Mike) Durgin Gilbert, of Kennewick, WA lived a wonderful and rewarding life filled with love and friendship. He was born on January 30, 1961 in Munich Germany, the youngest of six children to Arthur and Dorothy Gilbert while serving in the US Airforce. Michael died at his home of natural causes on Friday, December 11, 2015 at the age of 54. Michael's family move to Puyallup, WA after his father retired from the Air Force and started a career with Boeing. He grew up with a strong work ethic and started working at a young age picking strawberries. He attended Sumner High School (Class of 80) and was most noted as a football player where he played center on the team. He was proud that they went to State and played at the Tacoma Dome. He attended Seattle University with a ROTC scholarship for the Army. After college he was stationed at Schofield Barracks, HI where he served in the Army Air Defense Artillery. His duties took him to Kauai, the Big Island, the Philippines, Korea and Australia for training missions. Lt. Gilbert met his wife, Brenda (USN) in an elevator during Christmas time and from then on they were never separated. He married her in 1978 at Schofield Barracks Chapel. He was proud and Honored to serve in our United States Military. In 1988 he joined Pfizer Pharmaceuticals as a Pharmaceutical Sales Rep. He started his career in Salt Lake City and was moved to Billings, MT, then Houston, TX before coming to the Tri-Cities in 1994. During his time here he has made many friends. He was well suited for his job as he was a very comfortable conversationalist. He was easy to talk with, loved to laugh and could tell great stories on any subject. He was well liked in the Medical community throughout his territory from Baker City, Or, Tri-Cities, Yakima, Spokane and in-between. He had a love for Corvettes and always regretted having to give up his 1973 beauty. He had plans for owning a 1969 convertible. He enjoyed going to the firing range with his friends for some target shooting. He was a master on the grill and was the go-to guy for anything barbecued. He enjoyed making us his own sauces, having friends over and telling stories. His love for traveling took him and Brenda to many locations throughout the years, but his favorite vacation spot was the Big Island of Hawaii and was always ready to pack a bag and say Let's Go! His sweet basset hound Baylee misses him. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Brenda J. Gilbert, his parents, Arthur and Dorothy Gilbert, his brothers and their wives, Art and Barb Gilbert, Fred and Sylvia Gilbert, Scott and Karen Gilbert, Jeff and Holly Gilbert., his sister and her husband, Debbie and Bruce Snyder, numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to express their gratitude to Mike's brother at heart, Doug and Sharon Harkness and long-time friends Terry Wintrode and Clem Matylinski. He was a member and Brother with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home, 1401 S. Union St., Kennewick will be holding a viewing on Friday, December 18, 2015 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. for family and friends. His Celebration of his life will be held Saturday, December 19, 2015 beginning at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 10376 Ridgeline Drive in Kennewick with viewing beginning at 10:00 a.m. Burial Services will be conducted at Desert Lawn Memorial Park at 12:30 p.m., 1401 S. Union St. Kennewick. In lieu of flowers, donation can be made to the Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation, 7350 W. Deschutes Ave. Kennewick, WA 99336.