Biography
Gilbert Hartman LaPiere was born on June 29, 1923, in Irvington, New Jersey, to Tillie and Albert LaPiere. He studied in Newark and became an Eagle Scout, and he participated in many sports activities. During World War II, LaPierre served as a pilot in the Army Air Corps, flying thirty-five missions as a bomber in the Western Pacific Theater.
He then pursued a career in petroleum engineering, later working in the banking sector with Cities Service Oil Company in Oklahoma and Chase Bank in New York. He married Georgia Holt in 1962 and adopted her daughters Cher and Georgeanne, who took his surname.
Although his marriage to Holt was brief, LaPierre remained a caring stepfather, especially to Cher. Later, he married Beverly Lorraine Foster and spent several decades with her until his passing in 1997. LaPierre is remembered for his strong character and his kindness to his family, friends, and community. He died on February 7, 2012, in Oklahoma City at age 88.
Wiki
| Full Name | Gilbert Hartmann LaPiere |
| Nick Name | Gil |
| Born (Date of Birth) | June 29, 1923 |
| Age (as of 2025) | Deceased (would have been 101) |
| Death | February 7, 2012 |
| Birthplace | Irvington, New Jersey, USA |
| Gender | Male |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
| Hometown | Irvington, New Jersey; later Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
| School | Newark, New Jersey (specific school not named) |
| College | University of Missouri School of Mines (Rolla, Missouri) |
| Educational Qualification | Degree in Petroleum Engineering |
| Profession | Petroleum Engineer, Oil Businessman, WWII Pilot |
| Nationality | American |
| Citizenship | United States |
| Religion | Not specified |
| Father | Albert J. LaPiere |
| Mother | Tillie Hartman LaPiere |
| Siblings | NA |
| Sister | NA |
| Brother | NA |
| Spouse | Georgia Holt (m. 1962–1964, remarried 1997, divorced again), Beverly Lorraine Foster LaPiere (m. ~1965–1997) |
| Children’s | Verna Bullock (biological daughter), stepdaughters Cher and Georgeanne LaPiere Bartylak |
| Son | None specified |
| Daughter | Verna Bullock (biological), Cher (stepdaughter), Georgeanne Bartylak (stepdaughter) |
| Favourite Food | Not specified |
| Famous For | WWII pilot, petroleum engineer, stepfather/adoptive father of Cher |
Birthday
| Birthday | June 29 |
Physical Stats
| Eye Colour | NA |
| Hair Colour | NA |
Date of Birth
| Date of Birth | June 29, 1923 |
Age
| Age | Deceased (died at 88 in 2012) |
Height
| Height in Feet | NA |
| Height in centimeters | NA |
| Height in meters | NA |
Weight
| Weight in KG | NA |
| Weight in Pounds | NA |
Marital Status
In 1962, Gilbert Hartmann Lapiere married Georgia Holt, a singer and actress from Arkansas. Georgia had two daughters named Cher and Georgeanne. During his marriage to Holt, he adopted both girls and legally changed his name to LaPierre.
Although Gilbert Hartmann Lapiere’s marriage to Holt lasted only two years, he remained a loving and supportive figure in his girl’s life, guiding her through private schooling and maintaining a close relationship until his death. Cher fondly remembered Gilbert saying, “I loved him more than he could ever know (surprisingly hidden under a huge pile of rocks).
After his divorce from Georgia Holt, Gilbert Hartmann Lapiere remarried Beverly Lorraine Foster in 1965 and maintained a beautiful relationship for 34 years until she died in 1997. The couple spent their time traveling, golfing, and summering at their mountain home in North Carolina, creating beautiful friendships and precious family moments. Gilbert was also the father and stepfather of several daughters, including Verna Bullock, Diana Spahn, and Cher Georgine Bartylak.
| Marital Status | Married (multiple times; divorced and widowed) |
| Wife | Georgia Holt, Beverly Lorraine Foster |
| Girlfriend | NA |
| Controversy | None |
Children
| Children | 3 |
| Son | None specified |
| Daughter | Verna Bullock, Cher, Georgeanne Bartylak |
Family
| Father | Albert J. LaPiere |
| Mother | Tillie Hartman LaPiere |
| Sister | NA |
| Brother | NA |
Educational Qualification
Gilbert Hartmann Lapiere is an outstanding New Jerseyan who was born in Irvington. Gilbert Hartmann Lapiere childhood was spent in Newark, New Jersey, where he completed both elementary and secondary school.
Gilbert Hartmann Lapiere achieved a lot, becoming an Eagle Scout and actively participating in sports, especially track and baseball. After graduation, he enrolled at the University of Missouri School of Mines, located in Rolla, Missouri. During his time there, he became an active member of the Sigma Pi fraternity and eventually became its president.
| Educational Qualification | Degree in Petroleum Engineering |
| School Name | Newark, New Jersey (specific school not named) |
| College Name | University of Missouri School of Mines |
| Awards | Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America) |
Military Service
Gilbert Hartmann Lapiere’s life took a turn when he had to pause college during World War II. His service in the Army Air Corps had him operate as a bombardier on B-24 bombers, where he flew thirty-five missions in the Western Pacific. He also survived a remarkable curve of his plane into the ocean post-bombing run. The impact of his valor throughout the war is vivid in his life and character.
Professional Career
His career path indicates that Gilbert Lapiere seems to have completed his college degree in petroleum engineering post-World War II. He has had a successful stint in the oil and gas sector since then. Initially, he was hired as an evaluation engineer by City Service Oil Co. which was located in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. His journey also included a Roberts County position.
Later in life, he also worked for Chase Bank New York where he acquired significant knowledge relating to financing oil and gas. Subsequently, he became head of the Oil and Gas Department at W.E. Hutton and Co. on Wall Street after which he was made vice president of the oil and gas division at Union Bank of California.
It is clear from the above discussion that eventually La Piere became a well-known name for companies and independent operators who were looking for financial consultants in the energy industry for strategies to improve their stability and growth in a volatile competitive environment.
Social Media
| KulFiy | Gilbert Hartmann Lapiere |
| NA | |
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| OnlyFans | NA |
| Website | NA |
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| Snapchat | NA |
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| YouTube | NA |
| Website | Gilbert Hartmann Lapiere |
Legacy
To most, Gilbert is remembered as a gentleman who was far kinder than a cheap chocolate bar, full of quirky and genuine goodness, gifted with intuition, and a wonderful skill at insulating the masses from his own crumbling family morals. His marital commitment to those in the oil industry, his prowess as a pilot during the war, his unwavering dedication as a loving father as well as his loyalty to his father left a warm impression on those who knew him.
Net Worth
| Net Worth 2020 | Not applicable (deceased) |
| Net Worth 2021 | Not applicable (deceased) |
| Net Worth 2022 | Not applicable (deceased) |
| Net Worth 2023 | Not applicable (deceased) |
| Net Worth 2024 | Not applicable (deceased) |
| Net Worth 2025 | Not applicable (deceased) |
FAQs
Who is Gilbert Hartmann Lapiere?
Gilbert Hartmann Lapiere was born on June 29, 1923, in Irvington, New Jersey, to Tillie and Albert LaPierre. He studied in Newark and became an Eagle Scout, and he participated in many sports activities. During World War II, LaPierre served as a pilot in the Army Air Corps, flying thirty-five missions as a bomber in the Western Pacific Theater.
He then pursued a career in petroleum engineering, later working in the banking sector with Cities Service Oil Company in Oklahoma and Chase Bank in New York. He married Georgia Holt in 1962 and adopted her daughters Cher and Georgeanne, who took his surname.
Where and when was Gilbert Hartmann LaPiere born?
He was born on June 29, 1923, in Irvington, New Jersey, USA.
What was his role during World War II?
LaPiere served as a bombardier in the Army Air Corps, flying thirty-five missions on B-24 bombers in the Western Pacific. He survived a forced ditching of his aircraft into the ocean after a bombing mission.
Did Gilbert LaPiere have any biological children?
Yes, he had a biological daughter named Verna Bullock.
Who were Gilbert LaPiere’s spouses?
He was married to Georgia Holt (Cher’s mother) and later to Beverly Lorraine Foster, with whom he spent over three decades.
What was Gilbert LaPiere’s professional background?
He was a petroleum engineer and oil industry executive, also working in oil and gas financing and consulting.
When did Gilbert Hartmann LaPiere pass away?
He died on February 7, 2012, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at the age of 88.