Career
Born in Walpole, Massachusetts, Gillis served as a history instructor at Butte College (1981–1985) and, for twenty-five years, as a lecturer at California State University, Chico. Professor Gillis was greatly admired by many of his students for his interesting lectures and warm personality. His articles and reviews have appeared in the History/Social Science Journal, Diggins (Butte County Historical Society), the Dogtown Territorian Quarterly, now known as The California Territorial Quarterly, John Muir Newsletter, Overland Journal, Canadian Social Studies, California History, the American Indian Quarterly, Journal of the West, Pacific Northwest Quarterly, and Nevada Historical Society Quarterly.
During the course of his career, Gillis published three books (see bibliography).
Gillis later published an account of the trip, along with his findings, in an article that appeared in the Winter 1998-1999 issue of the Overland Journal. He was known and respected by every Historian on the Western Seaboard and was an Emeritus Professor.
Mr. Gillis died April 7 at Stanford University Medical Center after a 10-month battle with a rare liver disease called primary sclerosing cholangitis.