Obituary for Lewis Hulbert

Lewis Eugene (Gene) Hulbert, of Westerville, Ohio, beloved father, grandfather and friend, passed away on the evening of Sunday March 12, 2023.

 

He was born November 15, 1924, near Somerton, Ohio, the son of Roy and Lela (Wharton) Hulbert. His family moved to Geneva Ohio when he was 4 years old, where he graduated from Geneva High School. He served in the Navy stateside from 1943 - 1946. He earned a BS from Iowa State University, a MS from Case Western Reserve University, and his PhD from The Ohio State University. He shared and supported this strong belief in education with his children, grandchildren and many others around the world, including students in Nicaragua.

 

He met Beatrice (B’d) Nancy Gebhart on a blind date to a Cleveland Indians baseball game, which was arranged by his sister, who was the nursing school roommate of B’d. Gene and B’d married on August 14, 1948, and shared a love together for 57 years. They moved to Columbus Ohio in September 1952, where he began work at Battelle Memorial Institute. From the depths of the earth (gas pipelines,) to earthly snacks (Pringles potato chips,) to outer space (the Space Shuttle), and into the solar system (Cassini spacecraft,) his intelligence, creativity, diligence and determination led to many significant contributions during his 37 year career at Battelle.

 

He loved to travel, nationally and internationally, through his active involvement with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, in which he co-created the Computers and Information in Engineering Division. He enjoyed hiking, golfing, and bicycling, was a champion table tennis player and loved playing euchre and poker.

 

He was an avid reader and his third trimester of life was filled with a passion for the origins of the universe, God’s creation of the universe and God’s love for everyone. He expressed this love in countless ways to countless persons through his ministries at the Church of the Messiah, Westerville, in central Ohio (where he was a member for 65 years,) and around the world, especially in Nicaragua, Mexico, and Cuba. He shared his love of Christ through leading Disciple study classes and the Kairos prison ministry. From his life journey through grief and faith, he helped others along their life paths. He founded a widowers group, which meets weekly at the Sunny Street Cafe in Westerville, at times nearly 20 strong men strong. He was especially proud to have his smiling face captured on a coffee mug at Sunny Street Cafe on the celebration of his 90th birthday.

 

The words of Christ are fully expressed in Gene: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” (Matthew 25:35-36, NIV)

 

His parents and wife preceded him in death. He is survived by his son Douglas, son Gregory (wife Carol,) their children Lara (husband Sean) and Scott, his daughter Heidi Clouse (husband Bill,) together with their children Sarah, Michael and Kaitlyn.  He is also survived by two sisters, Mary Wharram and Marjorie Roberts.

 

Truly, he is deserving to speak the words from II Timothy 4:7: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” He is now dancing with his wife in the presence of God in heaven.

 

A celebration of his life will be held at the Church of the Messiah in Westerville, Ohio, May 13, 2023 at 2PM .Please visit https:Hillfuneralhome.com to share memories and condolences. 

Contributions in Gene's honor may be made by check to: Church of the Messiah, 51 N. State Street, Westerville, Ohio 43081. Online/mobile contributions can be made at https://www.messiahumc.net/ways-to-give. Please designate your gift to Tesoros de Dios in honor of Gene Hulbert