Gilles Verboom

Dr. Gilles Marie-Louis Verboom, PhD

March 26, 1945 – March 29, 2024

TOWN OF CALEDONIA– Gilles “The Frenchman” Verboom passed away peacefully at St. Clare Hospital on March 29, 2024, on Good Friday and just days following his 79^th birthday after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born in Paris, France and raised for a time in Morocco, Gilles received an Engineering Degree from the University of Toulouse, France in 1969 and then emigrated to the U.S. to continue his studies at the University of Minnesota where he completed a master’s degree in 1971 and met his bride, Ronni Sue Verboom while living in the French speaking dorms. Together they started a family, and he earned a PhD in Physical Chemistry in 1978 at the University of Nebraska, where he took a class taught by his father-in-law and received his only B.

Gilles was a well-respected research scientist in the field of surfactants for a majority of his career and later was a highly regarded scientist in the cosmetics industry. His innovations led to 12 U.S. patents and over 100 international patents, including a variety of hair care products and cleaning pads.

When he wasn’t working or raising his family, Gilles was passionate about downhill skiing, becoming a Level 2 Certified Ski Instructor and teaching for over 25 years at Wilmot and Cascade Mountain ski areas in WI. He also loved sailing, kayaking, cycling, playing bridge, domestic and international travel, Looney-Tunes cartoons, Sci-Fi and had a deep devotion to his wife, children, grandchildren and family fur-babies including Curly, Tabby, Snowy, Corky, Dallas, and Boomer.

Gilles is survived by his wife of almost 54 years, Pastor Ronni Sue (Looker) and children, Denis (Bobby) Jones-Verboom of Rockford, IL; Dr. Natalie (Erik) Luhtala PhD of La Jolla, CA; Andrea (Andrew) Haan of Green Oaks, IL; Julien (Vicki) Verboom of Geneva, IL; three grandchildren David Gilles Anthony Verboom, Nicholas Patrick Haan and Jacob Andrew Haan; sister-in-law Claude Verboom; brother and sister-in-law Dan and Joan Looker, nieces and nephews, Julie (Gilles) DeCevins, Philippe Verboom, Colleen (Brad Foxhoven) Looker, Maureen (Steve) Kieffer, Nate (Juliana) Looker and their loving families. Gilles was preceded in death by his parents, Jacques and Marie-Louise Verboom, mother and father-in-law, Ellen and James Looker, his brother Christian Verboom, son-in-law Gavin Kessler and daughter-in-law Sarah Hixson.

A service celebrating Gilles’ life will be held at the United Methodist Church of Baraboo, 615 Broadway St., Baraboo, WI on Friday, April 5, 2024, with the visitation at 10 a.m., service at 11 a.m. and a light time of fellowship at the church immediately following. Please dress in whatever you like, remembering that Gilles loved vibrant colors. In lieu of flowers please consider making contributions in Gilles’ memory to AARP, Doctors Without Borders (Médecins sans Frontières) or plant a tree commemorating his love of the outdoors.  The Redlin-Ertz Funeral Home is assisting the family.