Lange, Gilbert Rudolph

Gilbert “Gil” Rudolph Lange, 85, passed away at home on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 in Blacksburg, Va. of sudden cardiac failure. He was born January 23, 1930 to Rudolph Ernest and Magdalene (Miller) Lange in Chicago, Ill.

Gil graduated from the University of Illinois in 1952 with a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering. For over 38 years, he worked for Pratt and Whitney’s Government Products Division in East Hartford, Conn. and West Palm Beach, Fla. as an Experimental Test Engineer and Project Engineer.

Shortly after moving to Connecticut, he fell in love with skiing. He especially enjoyed the powder of the West, particularly Aspen, Vail, Alta, and Mt. Hood. In the summer he liked sailing, keeping a daysailer docked in Noank, Conn.

Gil was always active in growing Unitarian Universalist congregations, serving on the board and building and grounds committees. He helped with new building projects at the Unitarian Society of Hartford, the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Palm Beaches and finally at the Blacksburg Congregation.

Gil was a devoted husband, father, and caregiver. Gilbert will be sorely missed by his wife of 52 years, Rita Carolyn (Horst) Lange; his two sons, Scott Robert Lange and his wife Pamela of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and Richard Rudolph Lange and his wife, Jennifer of Bloomfield, N.J.; four grandchildren Stuart, Christian, Madeline, and Lucy; and one great grandchild, Samuel; as well as other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Ronald.

Gil’s life will be celebrated with a memorial service at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 19, 2015 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Blacksburg, Virginia. In lieu of flowers charitable gifts can be sent to your favorite charity in memory of Gilbert R. Lange.