Dr. Gilbert D. Roman, Ret. Col US Army

Dr. Gilbert Dan Roman, Ret. Col. U.S. Army, a champion of education and veteran's rights, died September 2 while vacationing in Mexico. He was 67. Gil was born January 6, 1940, in Wichita, Kansas. He met his first wife Angela Gomez in neighboring Newton, KS and immediately named his car "Lil Angel" after her. They married on May 6, 1961, and had three children together-Gilbert, Denise and Angelique. In the early days of their marriage, Gil worked nights at the Sedwick County Sheriff's Office in Wichita while attending college at Wichita State University during the day. Despite his schedule, he became the youngest person at the time to attain the rank of Sergeant in the Sedwick County Sheriff's Department. Soon thereafter, Gil earned what would be the first of five college degrees. In addition to attaining a Bachelor of Arts from Wichita State, he earned a Masters in Education from Anticoch College: a Doctorate in Administration and Education from the University of Northern Colorado; a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Denver and a Masters in Real Estate and Construction Management from the University of Denver. Dr. Roman's interest in education spilled over to his civilian career. He worked for the U.S. Department of Education (and its predecessor, Health, Education and Welfare) for nearly two decades, reaching the position of Deputy Assistant Secretary of Operations, in Washington, D.C. Prior to that, he served as the Regional Director of the Denver, Colorado office which covered a six-state region. Dr. Roman was also a recognized leader of the Hispanic community, receiving the prestigious state and national League of United Latin American Citizens ("LULAC") Man of the Year Award. On September 24, 1990, President George H. Bush signed Executive Order 12729, entitled "Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans." The purpose of the Executive Order was "to increase opportunities for Hispanic Americans to participate in the benefit from Federal programs." Dr. Roman, who co-authored a book, "Chicanos in Higher Education," was named Executive Director of "The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans." Dr. Roman also served as the Assistant Vice President for Academic Administration at the University of Northern Colorado from 1975-1977. In 1987, he married a second time, this time to Roberta Padilla. The couple had no children together, but remained close long after their divorce. As Gil's civil service career wound down, his military service took off. In the mid-1980's, he served as an Executive Officer at the Fitzsimmons Army Center in Aurora, Colorado. In 1987, he served a five-month stint in Honduras as Deputy Commander for Administration, U.S. Army Medical Element, Joint Task Force Bravo. In that capacity, Lt. Colonel Roman administered total operations of hospital and medical clinics and served as liason with the Honduran army. Gil Roman was commissioned to the rank of full Colonel in 1988. And in early 1991 he volunteered for active duty in the Gulf War and was named Deputy Commander of the 311th Evacuation Hospital, Army Medical Service Corps, Operation Desert Storm, where he served as Chief of Operations, U.S. Army Central Command, the Persian Gulf. Colonel Roman provided administration and operations guidance in the adminstration of a combat filled hospital (400 bed augmented). After the war, 100, 000, veterans complained of illnesses they had contracted in the Gulf War. Colonel Roman, along with other veterans, led the fight for recognition and funding of these ailments. Testifying before a congressional subcommittee, Colonel Roman testified: "I was told that the chemical alarms had malfunctioned. I [soon] became ill and was treated for nausea, headaches, vomiting and high temperatures...The symptoms continued after I returned home and got progressively worse." His private cardiologist later wrote: "What is clear is that he [Colonel Roman] served in the Middle East and that he was a cardiomyopathy. I would submit that this may well be part of the Gulf War Syndrome." Several years later Gulf War Syndrome was officially recognized and funded for Gulf War veterans. Gil Roman is survived by his mother, Luz Roman, and his siblings - Edward, Arthur, Dan and Therese. He is also survived by children- Gilbert (Donna), Denise (Dan) and Angelique (Kirby) - and his grandchildren: Augustine, Dominic, Gabrial, Steven, Anthony, Eddie, Stevie and Roman. His family also wishes to acknowledge his special caregiver, Rochelle Fraire. A Rosary is scheduled for Thursday, September 13th at 7:00 at Horan & McConaty, 3101 S. Wadsworth (between Hampden and Yale) 303-986-9615. The Mass will be celebrated on Friday, September 14th at 10:30 am at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, 6673 W. Chatfield Ave., Littleton, CO, 303-979-7688, with a military burial to follow at Fort Logan National Cemetery.