Gilbert Sanchez

Gilbert Sanchez, age 82, was born in Belen, NM to Macedonia and Josephine Sanchez, the second of three children, Freda Clinton, and Susana Sanchez. Gilbert graduated from Belen High School in 1957. He attended New Mexico State University, where he received a bachelor's degree in microbiology.

He married Lorena Tabet in 1961, and together they have three children, Elizabeth Sanchez of Albuquerque, Dr. Phillip Sanchez and wife, Teresa of CO, Katherine and husband, Tanner Irons of Ruidoso and their three children, Chance Irons who is married to Valerie and have one daughter, Emerlynn, and Cannon and Colton Irons all of Ruidoso Downs. Gilbert attended UNM where he taught microbiology and then went on to Kansas University in Lawrence, KS, with his wife, Lorena and children, Elizabeth, and Phillip.

After three years at KU and receiving a PhD degree, he then went on to Rice University to do a postdoctoral in Houston, TX.
In 1968, Gilbert was selected as an Assistant Professor at New Mexico Tech and then Full Professor, where he taught microbiology and parasitology for eleven years. He then was selected as Dean at College of Arts and Science at Eastern University in Portales. During 1980 - 1985, he served as Vice President for the University of Southern Colorado in Pueblo, then in August of 1985, he was elected President at Highland University in Las Vegas, NM, where he served for ten years.
During 1995, Gilbert worked at National Institutes for Health in Washington, DC. He also did consulting for many Universities, and before retiring, he made custom wood and iron furniture for his home and friends.