Bringing vital medical education to remote regions/WiREDInternational.org

Amazing Graces—Blessings to Season Your Meals

All his life the Reverend, Doctor Richard Reynolds Gilbert loved giving mealtime prayers for family and friends. Consequently, in 2001, he published Amazing Graces. Dr. Gilbert said, "To sprinkle light from heaven upon earthly pleasure—good food and fresh talk—is the audacious aim of this slender volume." Dr. Gilbert's other purpose was to offer up simple blessings to readers no matter what their beliefs.

With the kind permission of Juanita Swann-Gilbert, it is WiRED International's honor to make Amazing Graces available to an international audience—thus uniting those everywhere who give thanks for meals however large or small.

Amazing Graces—online animated version

Amazing Graces—PDF download (large file—27 MB)

While this electronic book is offered free of charge, you may make a donation
to honor Dr. Gilbert's years of humanitarian work. Through the generosity of
Juanita Swann-Gilbert, all proceeds go to the continued work of WiRED International.

Juanita and Richard Gilbert

Biography

The Reverend, Doctor Richard Reynolds Gilbert (1924– 2011) was a founding member of WiRED International's board and a long-standing supporter until his death of WiRED's community health programs abroad. A World War II veteran, Dr. Gilbert was a twice-wounded and decorated soldier with the 94th Infantry Division in France and Germany. His awards include the Silver Star, the Purple Heart with cluster, the Bronze Star with cluster and V for Valor, and the Combat Infantry Badge.

Dr. Gilbert earned two graduate degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary and went on to serve as an ordained minister and then a writer-producer for the United Presbyterian Church. He also founded the School for Continuing Education at Princeton Theological Seminary. Dr. Gilbert served as an executive editor for NBC-TV for 15 years and always maintained his passion for communication as a writer and consultant.

After his retirement in 1988 Dr. Gilbert continued to enjoy an active career in public relations, speaking, consulting, writing, and editing. His first wife, Margaret Wardlaw Gilbert, died in 1995. He married Juanita Swann-Gilbert in 1997. In 2001 he wrote Amazing Graces—"blessings to season your meals." Besides his work for WiRED, Dr. Gilbert volunteered regularly for Meals on Wheels. Also, he was an athlete and sports aficionado. The founding member and President Emeritus of The Asheville Badminton Club, Dr. Gilbert won the senior singles badminton championship of North Carolina just months before his death.

Besides his wife, Juanita, he is survived by his daughters Allison Kozicharow and Virginia Gilbert, as well as two stepdaughters, four grandchildren, and four step-grandchildren.

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