Gilbert Steve Sosack

GILBERT STEVE SOSACK June 10, 1930 – March 6, 2020

Big Bear City, CA

Gilbert Sosack went home to be with the Lord on March 6, 2020.  He died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Big Bear City, where he had resided for the past thirty years.  Born in Cleveland, Ohio nearly 90 years ago to his parents Steve and Catherine, immigrants from Hungary.  Gil’s family moved to South Gate, CA, where he attended Junior High and High School, and lettered in baseball.  Following high school, he enlisted in the US Air Force during the Korean War, where he served as sergeant and instructor.

When he was 20, he married Melba Rose Harper, to whom he remained married for nearly 70 years.  Following his 1956 honorable discharge from the Air Force, he became an electrical engineer in the space division at North American, which later became Rockwell International. He remained there for over 30 years.  While at Rockwell, he was honored for his problem solving ability by NASA and his patented design of a circuit board for the space shuttle.

Upon his retirement in 1989, he and Melba moved to Big Bear City. There he enjoyed fishing, boating, wood working and spending time with his family and many grandkids. In his later years, he pursued his hobbies of music, often playing harmonica at a local coffee shop and learning to play guitar at 80-years-old.  Gil was a lifelong learner, remarkably obtaining his ham radio license at 89!  He loved country music and wearing his cowboy boots. 

Gil is survived by his loving wife, Melba, and his children Denise Howerton, Diane Sosack, Darlene Kellenberger (Dan), Steven Sosack (Charlene), Dawn Sollecito (Tony), and his beloved Husky Jimmy.  He is also survived by 16 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren. In many ways, he became more like a father to many of his grandchildren and to many others. 

Gil will be greatly missed by his family and those who knew him. He was blessed to have his wife and family lovingly care for him. The family would also like to thank his longtime caregivers, Lina and Robin, as well as Bear Valley Hospice, who provided their love and care.

Services will be held at Big Bear Mortuary, Big Bear City, CA on March 26, 2020, visitation 9:30-10am, service 10-11am. Burial with military honors will follow at Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, CA, at 1:45pm.
 

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