Ryan Matthew Gilbert

Ryan Matthew Gilbert, the son of Fritz (Diana) Gilbert and the late Loy Gilbert, went to be with his dogger dog Bailey at the age of 51 on September 27, 2025, in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Ryan was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin, on May 16, 1974. In the early 2000s, Ryan heard the oil field calling him, and he made his home in Grand Junction, Colorado, and eventually in Mack, Colorado, on his hobby farm, Sandy Bottom Acres.

Ryan was raised to be a hard worker, and his career as a lifelong trucker and oil field worker certainly showed his diverse skill set. At home, he was no different, bringing his Wisconsin upbringing to the rich life he had created, from running his Bobcat tractor to building his homestead to lovingly care for his animals and livestock to creating and building anything for his wife. He was a jack of all trades and put a lot of blood, sweat, and yes, some tears into everything he touched.

Ryan touched the lives of so many, both at home and in Wisconsin. He would crack a joke, roll his eyes, and say something sarcastic just to make people laugh. His heart was full of life, and he was always the smart ass who would make even the hardest days feel a little bit lighter. He loved his wife with such fiery passion that not many could understand, and he loved his children fiercely, proudly, and without hesitation. He was a constant source of knowledge and wisdom, which he shared with so many. He taught all of us what it meant to live life to the fullest, not just in words, but in action. He had many hobbies, but to name a few, he loved tearing up the trails on ATVs, wreaking havoc while pulling his children and friends on the tube at Lake Powell, kayaking with his dogs, having bonfires, and spending time with family and friends. Ryan always reminded us that life is meant to be lived loud, fast, and with a huge grin. He was a prankster through and through, and you never knew what was up his sleeve, and you could count on him bringing laughter to any situation.

Ryan is survived by his soulmate and wife of 18 years, Sarah Gilbert, their 4 children: Aspen (Jason) Inman, Shanoah (Steven) Powers, Dylan Gilbert, and Abby Gilbert. He will be fondly remembered by his sister Cari Gilbert as well as many nieces, a nephew, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and colleagues.

A Celebration of Life will be held at his home in Mack, Colorado, on October 18, 2025, where friends and family are invited to share their fondest stories and memories. Please contact his wife, Sarah, for more details.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Meal Train app https://mealtrain.com/w4k701 to help with the cost of his services or to the Alzheimer’s Association. His dedication to help further research into Alzheimer’s and Dementia, as it personally touched his life closely, will carry on.

Losing Ryan leaves a hole that can’t be filled. He will be missed every single day. In the big, loud moments, and in the quiet ordinary ones. His spirit will live on in the stories we tell, the laughter we share, and the way we carry his legacy forward with love, humor, and with the kind of wild, fearless joy that he brought into our lives.

Rest easy, Ryan! We love you always!