Gilbert Casterlow Jr.

Obituary For Gilbert Casterlow Jr.

Dr. Gilbert Casterlow, Jr. earned his eternal rest on Wednesday, December 2, 2020. Dr. Casterlow, son of the late Gilbert and Juanita Casterlow, Sr., was born in Rich Square, North Carolina. He graduated from W.S. Creecy High School and received B.S. and M.S. degrees in Mathematics from North Carolina A&T State University.

Dr. Casterlow earned a Ph.D. in Mathematics Curriculum and Instruction from The Pennsylvania State University in 1980. An instructor of mathematics who taught from 1971-77 and returned to his alma mater in 1980, Gilbert Casterlow, Jr., was acknowledged as a great motivator, role model, administrator, and surrogate father by students and junior faculty alike. Students were drawn to his classes, workshops, and seminars by his enthusiasm, hands-on instruction, spirited discussions, and his unwavering support of their academic aspirations. His teaching and mentoring with public and private school teachers led to his appointment to the position of Mathematics Education Coordinator for the Greensboro Area Mathematics and Science Education Center (GAMSEC). Hundreds of teachers from diverse backgrounds sharpened their teaching skills, prepared for licensure, or completed graduate programs in mathematics through these courses and workshops to improve mathematics and science instruction.

Dr. Casterlow’s work established him as an NC A&T Representative in the area of Mathematics Education for the UNC Mathematics and Science Education Network and promoted his greater involvement on a variety of regional and state boards and committees. This presence at the state level allowed him to keep the university on the cutting edge of policy making and educational practice, which supported his efforts to keep students at the forefront of Mathematics Education. His mentoring and involvement of students led to an A&T student becoming the first African American to be recognized as the Outstanding Mathematics Education Student by the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCCTM) in 1988. Through a systematic mentoring and professional development program for students, including the establishment of a student chapter of NCCTM at A&T, eight NC A&T students won that prestigious award.

Over the years, Dr. Casterlow’s work with students and school teachers was formally extended to university faculty members when he provided the leadership for a National Calculus Reform Program as an extension of the National Alliance for Minority participation in 1994-1998. This program generated over $1,000,000 of support for 81 faculty leaders at 35 Minority Serving Universities across the country. Approximately 5,000 students per year continued to benefit from this ongoing program. An outreach component of this program, AP Calculus on the Information Highway with the Guilford County Schools, gained national recognition and served as a prototype for numerous programs on the campus, throughout the state and across the country.

Involvements, such as those described above, led Dr. Casterlow to numerous state and national leadership positions. These included President for the Central Region of NCCTM where he established a record for conference attendance and finances generated during his administration, Member of the Minority Participation Committee for the Mathematical Association of America and Member of the National Faculty. These appointments were paralleled by campus leadership positions that included Mathematics Education Coordinator, Chair of the College of Arts and Sciences Grade Appeals Board, Chair of the University Promotion and Tenure Committee, Chair of the Faculty Grievance Committee, and Chair of the Admissions and Retention Committee. Dr. Casterlow received the University’s outstanding teaching award twice, 1990 and 1996. In 1991, he received The Pennsylvania State University Outstanding Teacher Award and garnered the 1996 Excellence in Teaching Award, one of the highest honors in the University of North Carolina System. In 1994, he received the W.W. Rankin Award, the top award, given by the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Dr. Casterlow was also a lifetime member of the North Carolina A&T State University Gate City Alumni Chapter. He also recently received the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dr. Casterlow also taught at Bennett College and Winston-Salem State University. He was active in his community and worked for over 13 years with the Saturday Academy (Grades 4-8). A sixth degree black belt in Karate, he was the head instructor of the NC A&T Karate Dojo (Club) and sponsored many national karate tournaments. He also served as senior advisor to the A&T Dojo as well as numerous satellite locations. An avid bowler for 36 years, Dr. Casterlow bowled a perfect 300 game, which landed him in the Bowlers’ Hall of Fame. As a member of East White Oak Missionary Baptist Church, he served as a high school Sunday School teacher, a trustee, and organized the Greater Greensboro Crop Walk for his church for a number of years. Dr. Casterlow was initiated into the Kappa Psi Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity in the Fall of 1968 and remained a lifetime member.

In 2002, Dr. Casterlow was appointed Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Director of Summer Sessions and Outreach. During his tenure in this position, he mobilized the team to generate record enrollments, record revenues and record levels of pre-college outreach involvement. His unit won national recognition from the North American Association of Summer Sessions for its collaborative initiatives with other units on campus that led to record levels of productivity while simultaneously cutting costs.

Dr. Casterlow enjoyed his time as a Professor Emeritus, mentor, volunteer and grandfather. He gave back to the university by volunteering to teach Mathematics when other professors were absent. He also tutored university and public school students and conducted workshops to provide support for Mathematics teachers. He always encouraged young people to further their education and to pursue their passion. He and his wife, Patricia, established the G and P Casterlow Endowed Scholarship, a $200,000+ Endowed Scholarship in Mathematics, Secondary Education. To reach this goal, he and his family match the donations received from their donors. As a cancer warrior, Dr. Gilbert Casterlow, Jr. and his wife provided support for persons diagnosed with cancer through shared information and encouragement. They have shared their experiences in a documentary for the UNC Bone Marrow Transplant Center, were chosen as the poster family for the Wesley Long Cancer Center and served on the UNC Patient Advisory Board. He and his grandson Bryson, have been recognized by the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center for raising awareness and funds for Multiple Myeloma and other blood cancers.

Cherished memories will forever remain in the hearts of: his devoted wife of 41 years, Patricia Vaughan Casterlow; daughters, Bonita Casterlow Mittman (Benjamin Jr.) of Durham, NC; Laveda Casterlow McDowell (LeRoy) of Wake Forest, NC; and Marquita Casterlow Richardson (Eric) of Greensboro, NC; 5 grandchildren, Benjamin Mittman, III. and Bryson Mittman of Durham, NC, Landon McDowell and Logan McDowell of Wake Forest, NC, and Eli Richardson of Greensboro, NC; siblings, Arna Greene of Jackson, NC, Betty Vaughan of Passaic, New Jersey, William Casterlow, Sr. (Betty) of Clifton, New Jersey, Clyde Casterlow (Carolyn) of Greensboro, NC, Samuel Casterlow of Greensboro, NC, and Clarence Casterlow (Nyoka) of Woodland, NC; Aunt, Yvonne Casterlow Taylor of Passaic, New Jersey; sister-in-law, Helen Anthony of Murfreesboro, NC; brothers-in-law, Melvin Vaughan (Darlene) of Murfreesboro, NC, Robert Vaughan of Mapleton, NC and a host of relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family of Dr. Gilbert Casterlow, Jr. is humbly requesting donations be made to North Carolina A&T State University, designated for The Gilbert and Patricia V. Casterlow Endowed Scholarship in Mathematics c/o North Carolina A&T State University, University Advancement, 1601 East Market Street, Suite 400, Greensboro, NC 27411.

By making a gift to this endowed scholarship in memory of Dr. Gilbert Casterlow, you are helping to support a fund that was established by Gilbert and Patricia to live on in perpetuity, providing much needed funds for deserving students for generations to come.

The link to contribute is here: https://app.mobilecause.com/form/QT6jNw?vid=ez9tr. Individuals can also easily give via their mobile device by texting Casterlow to 41444, which will provide that secure link in which to complete the contribution.

Donations may also be made to East White Oak Missionary Baptist Church, 1815 Water Street, Greensboro, NC 27405.

Cards and condolences can be mailed to his lovely wife, Mrs. Patricia V. Casterlow and his loving daughters Bonita Casterlow Mittman, Laveda Casterlow McDowell and Marquita Casterlow Richardson at the following address:

4229 Queen Beth Dr. Greensboro, North Carolina 27405-6360

A public visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 9, 2020 from 4pm-6pm at the Cassie Coote-Brown Memorial Chapel of Perry J. Brown Funeral Home. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a private graveside service will be held on Thursday, December 10, 2020 at Lakeview Memorial Park.

A video tribute honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Gilbert Casterlow, Jr. will be forthcoming.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sE6nLrHQ_QM&feature=youtu.be

THE FAMILY IS REQUESTING NO FLOWERS BE SENT DUE TO ALLERGIES

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