Gilbert Lynn Hensgen

Gilbert Lynn Hensgen died January 23, 2024 at the age of 75 after having fought a courageous battle for over three months. He was born January 2, 1949 in Glasgow, Kentucky to the late Lowell Webster Hensgen and Louise Dougherty Hensgen, the second of six children. He spent his early childhood at 310 Cleveland Avenue in Glasgow where he developed lifelong memories and a deep love for his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. The family moved to Jacksonville, Florida in 1954, and then they moved again to Oxford in 1958. Gilbert graduated from JF Webb High School in 1967. Before graduating, he was nominated and attended the North Carolina Governor's School for those gifted and talented high school students. He subsequently attended Duke University where he developed his lifelong love of Duke athletics. He left school early and found his niche in life as a Salesman. For a period of time, he successfully sold encyclopedias and vacuum cleaners door to door. Later in life, this experience would serve him well as a foundation for his destined calling in sales. He was a natural people's person. While the war in Viet Nam was on-going, Gilbert joined the US Army and served at Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina. Soon after discharge, he atended East Carolina University. After graduation, he began his career in residential real estate sales in the Raleigh and surrounding areas for over 40 years. It was during these years that Gilbert developed his love for the game of tennis. For many years, he was the lone Hensgen tennis player and he excelled at it, playing competitively, winning in tournaments across the State. His many lifelong friendships were developed at an early age during his school days in Oxford and later through his business and tennis activities. As a bachelor, Gilbert eventually developed a knack for cooking, and he sure did love to eat. Many evenings, he would host family or friends as he tried new recipes. Along with this, of course, came his appetite for good bourbon. One would think he won the lottery if he happened upon a bottle of Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare or Weller bourbon. No visitation trips to Kentucky were without hunts for good bourbon along the way. Gilbert had many dogs throughout his life and he loved them all. None, however, more than his best canine friend Chloe. Each morning, weather permitting, Gilbert and Chloe would go to Kiwanis Park in Raleigh. There, they would meet with brother Mark and his two dogs, as well as many local residents who also brought their pets. The dogs would run and play as the adults talked, laughed and simply enjoyed watching their companions run and play. Gilbert made many lasting memories and friends from these daily excursions. In 2001, Gilbert's life would change forever with the birth of his son. Michael "Lowell" Hensgen became his calling on earth and gave Gilbert tremendous purpose. Early on Gilbert taught him the importance of reading and the development of his thinking skills. He took an active part in all aspects of Lowell's life including coaching his early basketball and baseball teams along with the chess club at Our Lady of Lourdes. For years, they attended the Eric Montross Father-Son Fathers' Day basketball camp. Much to Gilbert's chagrin, Lowell had become a die-hard UNC fan and Carolina memorabilia would find itself into his home. Lowell excelled at academics and track and field, and Gilbert could not have been prouder when Lowell attended MIT and ran track there. Gilbert is preceded in death by his father Lowell Webster Hensgen, his mother Louise Dougherty Hensgen and his older brother Lowell Webster Hensgen, Jr. He is survived by his son, Lowell Hensgen of Boston, MA., his brother Joe Hensgen and sister-in-law, Nancy Finch Hensgen of Pine Knoll Shores, brother Nick Hensgen, sister Kathy Hensgen and partner Lauren Norton all of Brevard, brother Mark Hensgen of Raleigh, and his beloved dog Chloe. He is also survived by nephew Will Hensgen of Raleigh and niece Allison Hensgen of Garner. The Hensgen family would like to acknowledge and thank all of those who visited or otherwise communicated words of love and encouragement to Gilbert during his lengthy hospitalization. They would also like to thank Duke Raleigh Hospital, especially the ICU nurses and staff that attended to Gilbert during most of his extended stay. Words cannot describe the dedication, compassion, and love they exhibited as he fought his illness. On January 2 of this year, they decorated and helped Gilbert celebrate his 75th birthday in his hospital room with over 25 family, friends, nurses, doctors and staff attending. He had a great day talking with all his friends, old and new, as they came to celebrate him. As Gilbert would later say that evening, "It was the birthday of a lifetime." Previous Events Celebration of Life Ceremony MAR 23. 11:00 AM (ET) Lady of Our Lourdes Catholic Church 2718 Overbrook Drive Raleigh, NC 27603