With great sadness, I report to you that Allen Gilbert died peacefully early yesterday morning, July 15, 2006, at the Veterans Administration Hospital in West Los Angeles , after battling a long illness. He was 77. As you know Allen was seven times United States National 3-Cushion Billiard Champion and four times “Champ of Champs”. He was also the author of Systematic Billiards, a renowned billiards instructor, a charter and life member of the United States Billiards Association, and a friend of innumerable players and others in the billiards community. During his many playing years he was also a BWA contract player and played on the world tour. He leaves a sister and daughter.