Gilbert (Gil) L Lugar, 96, of Idaho Falls, formerly of Hershey, Pennsylvania and Masonic Village, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, passed into the Lord's keeping on Thursday, May 4, 2017.

He was born on July 7, 1920, in Germantown, Pennsylvania, son of LeRoy G. Lugar and Florence Boileau Lugar. He studied Industrial Arts and was a cheerleader at Millersville State Teachers College (PA). His studies were interrupted when drafted into the United States Army on October 8, 1943. With a lifelong fascination with anything mechanical, it is no surprise Gil volunteered for and was trained in Bomb Disposal at Aberdeen Proving Grounds (MD).  Serving in the 171st Bomb Disposal Squad, he traveled to Leyte, Luzon, and Baguio, Philippines, receiving two purple hearts for injuries incurred. Following the end of WW II, he graduated from Millersville College in the Industrial Arts program.

In 1947, he began a 38-year teaching career at Derry Twp. Public Schools, Hershey, Pennsylvania, where he taught as a Vocational Maintenance Shop and Industrial Arts instructor. During this time he helped hundreds of boys and girls learn the skills to design, draw, and build a variety of wood and metal creations of their choice.  Gil waited every year for the new student to ask, "what kind of wood is this?" and then he would carefully study the wood board and with all seriousness reply "that wood comes from the did-grow tree!"

In retirement he enjoyed woodworking, especially turning wonderfully unique bowls on the lathe and then giving them away to friends, family, and his doctors, dentist, and optometrist.   He loved to go fishing just about any time and would go just about anywhere to try and catch a big one! Gilbert was a member of Masonic Lodge #666 since 1949.

He is survived by a son, Robert and wife Anna, of Rigby, ID; a daughter, Linda Payne and husband Jay of Hartland, ME; a granddaughter, Audrey Lugar; grandson, Alex Lugar, both of Rigby, ID.

He was predeceased in death by his wife of 60 years and 10 days, B. Irene (Myers) Lugar; and his brother, S. Grove Lugar.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 12, 2017, at Hoover Funeral Home, Hershey, PA.  Family and friends are invited to visit at 10:00 a.m., for one hour, to be followed by Masonic services and funeral services immediately thereafter. Interment at Quarryville (PA) cemetery.

For the Idaho family, friends, and caregivers, a gathering to celebrate Gil's life and share his favorite dessert, ice cream, will be held Tuesday, May 9, 2017, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., at the Morningstar Senior Living Chapel, 4000 S. 25th East, Idaho Falls.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory can be made to the Masonic Village Charities gift planning at Office of Gift Planning, One Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022 or at https://masoniccharitiespa.org/donate-now/ or to your local Alzheimer's Association. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.coltrinmortuary.com .