LTC David A. Gabel USA (Retired)Cullum: 25542 Class: 1965 Cadet Company: H2 Date of Birth: February 11, 1942 Date of Death: October 14, 2013 Died in Northport, NY Interred: West Point Cemetery, West Point, NY - View or Post a Eulogy Location: Sect XXXIV, Row AA, Grave 022A |
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David Arthur Gabel was a leader who excelled by helping others and keeping one eye looking towards the future. His quiet, unassuming demeanor concealed a sharp mind and a generous spirit. Born on February 11, 1942 in Columbus, OH to Captain and Mrs. Francis Staley Gabel, his early years were a pursuit of leadership and the future. In his formative years he became an Eagle Scout and developed a keen interest in science and technology. Dave entered West Point with the Class of 1965 after graduating from Saint John’s College High School and completing one year at Catholic University.
Classmates remember Dave as “a guy who got it.” Whether helping classmates academically, playing guitar till taps to keep spirits high, managing the basketball team, participating in the Judo and Cardinal Newman clubs, singing in the Catholic Chapel Choir, or escorting a fellow’s cousin-in-need, his drive to lead and help guided him. Dave understood fellowship as well as leadership.
Following graduation and Infantry commissioning, the basic airborne course, and Ranger School, Dave reported to the 2nd Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment in Korea. In 1967 he joined the 1st Battalion, 505th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC. He was promoted to captain, assuming command of A Company. It was also at Fort Bragg that he met and courted his wife-to-be, Ilse, marrying her in December of the same year.
In 1968, after turning over command of A Company, followed by a six-week Army Special Warfare School military assistance training advisor course, Dave became a Republic of Vietnam Army Ranger battalion advisor. There he earned a Bronze Star and, in 1969, returned to Ilse and their new son Michael. They moved to Fort Benning, GA for the Infantry Officer Advanced Course and then to California, where Dave, selected to teach at West Point, earned a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering at Stanford University. In 1972 he joined the Department of Electrical Engineering and saw his second son, John, born. Dave relished teaching cadets for three years, clarifying complexities for the confused while keeping the quickest learners raptly engaged. Classmates who also served in the EE Department fondly remember his passion for electrical engineering and their discussions during this time.
After West Point, Dave returned to the 82nd Airborne Division as its management information systems officer, moving its repair-parts requisitioning, property book, and personnel operations into the early computer age, modeling future management centers. In 1976, he made the difficult decision to leave active duty. He took his family to Ohio and worked in General Motors’ Packard Electric Division helping design prototypes of today’s vehicle computer control systems. His rare gift for writing and clarifying technical complexities opened doors to leadership in computer journalism.
In 1978 Dave moved to Northport, NY and began writing about computers and data processing for Electronic Engineering Times, a technical newspaper. In 1980 he became editor-in-chief of Computer Times and then editor-in-chief of Personal Computing, leading it to a top-five national circulation rating. In 1982, he pursued a freelance career before returning to the office in 1990, working briefly for Electronics Magazine, then Electronic Buyer’s News, and finally Windows Magazine, where he led the team of writers reviewing new hardware and software. Dave recalled, “We all got to play with new stuff…it was a lot of fun.” He rounded out immersion in the swirling computer world as VARBusiness Magazine chief technical editor, managing a computer products-testing laboratory. Ever ahead of his time, Dave then worked remotely (before others knew they could) for TechTarget.com, focusing on websites for technology marketers and buyers. He created and ran a computer programming service for a few years, retiring completely from computing in 2004.
The distractions of civilian life did not dampen Dave’s service to his country. When he left Fort Bragg for Ohio, Dave transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve, joining the Ohio Army National Guard as a Military Police battalion executive officer. Moving to Northport, he joined the 1154th U.S. Army Reserve Forces School at Fort Hamilton, NY as a command and general staff course instructor and grader. Living within easy driving distance, he renewed his involvement with West Point, quietly proud to participate in the Cadet Character Education Program’s ethics discussions and serve as a Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science adjunct faculty member from 1984 to 1993. In 2002, he retired from the U.S. Army Reserve as a lieutenant colonel.
Dave’s passion for service was not diminished by a heart attack and three coronary artery bypass surgeries in 1994. He continued to serve on the local school board (1990-96) and remained active with the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion. With other graduates, he formed the West Point Society of Long Island (a brief-lived but noble association). With friends, he combined his acquired love for sailing (Go Army!) with mentoring and teaching the sport to underprivileged children served by the Huntington Youth Directions and Alternatives agency, who would otherwise not get exposure to this experience.
Dave left Ilse, Michael and John, six grandchildren and everyone who knew him an exemplary legacy of unremitting service to others, in uniform and out. Dave threw himself into life with an optimistic outlook and an abiding faith, a smile and a sense of humor, a gentle way with people, and a drive to understand things and help others however he could. Afflictions were only passing obstacles. He truly lived Duty, Honor, Country. We miss, remember, and salute him. Well Done, Dave; Be Thou at Peace.
— Family and classmates
