He earned a Bachelor's of Science degree from Iowa State University in 1949 after a tour of duty in the Navy during World War II,[1] and began graduate study in Geology at Columbia University, where he earned a Master of Science degree in 1950.
Prior to his death, Gilkey had completed his doctoral dissertation, “Fracture Pattern of the Zuni Uplift,” and was posthumously awarded a Ph.D.[2] His thesis advisor was Walter H.
At Camp III, he came down with thrombophlebitis (blood clots in the leg) or possibly deep venous thrombosis, followed by pulmonary embolism.
His fellow expedition members, including Charles Houston and Pete Schoening, immediately turned back in an attempt to save his life.
It is believed he was swept away by an avalanche, but others conjecture that he released himself from the ropes to spare his teammates from further risk on his behalf.