Gilbert Konishi died peacefully on January 3rd at the Colorado State Veterans Center at Homelake. He was 83 years old.

Mr. Konishi, known as Gib by friends and family, was born on December 15, 1932 in Platteville, CO to George and Wai Konishi, dairy farmers and immigrants from Japan. After being honorably discharged from the U.S. Army, where he served during the Korean War, he earned a B.A. from the New School in New York City and a M.A. from a joint graduate program at New York University and Columbia University. Mr. Konishi was awarded a Rockefeller grant to study classical Japanese art and music in Japan, where he lived for four years. During that time, he also taught English at the Canadian Academy in Kobe. Mr. Konishi then moved to New York City, where he lived and worked for many years. After retiring, he returned to his home state of Colorado and taught part-time as a substitute teacher in the San Luis Valley public school system. Mr. Konishi enjoyed fly-fishing, reading haiku and the works of A.J. Liebling and was a lover of animals and wildlife.

His brothers, Dr. Ben Konishi of Alamosa, Harry, Frank, Alban, and Alvin; his sisters, Martha, Sumi, Charlotte, and Linda; wife, Terry; and son Weston, his child with his first wife Phyllis, survive him.

Cremation was selected and a private family service will be held at a later time.