Robert Gabriel

Robert C. Gabriel Robert (Bob) Gabriel was born to parents Otto and Frieda Gabriel of Saginaw, Michigan in 1934.  Robert was the youngest of three children and grew up with older sister Dorothy and older brother William.  Robert was 91 when he passed, after living a very full and rewarding life. Robert worked a variety of jobs from his teens onward and played ice hockey during his high school years. Robert was involved in Boy Scouts and earned the prestigious Eagle Scout status as a result. Robert met his wife, Sally, at a church youth group in 1951. Robert said that he'd seen her ice skating several years before at Hoyt Park and thought "That was the girl for me."  Robert and Sally married in August 1955 and welcomed four children and many pets into their life – daughters June and Diane, son's Paul and Stephen, and favorite pets Emma, Sam, Maxine, Fritzy, and Beauty. Robert and Sally both attended Bay City Jr. College in Saginaw where Robert began his education as an engineer. Robert and Sally were engaged when Robert moved to Ann Arbor to attend the University of Michigan Ann Arbor for his engineering degree.  Robert went on later in life, after retiring, to obtain a master's in engineering from Kettering University. Robert and Sally were adventurers and moved to Milwaukee in 1959 with their growing family, living in in several locations around the city before moving to Germany in 1964. They returned to the US where they lived in Michigan before moving to their final home in Milwaukee. Robert worked for General Motors for years until he retired and started his own consulting business.  During his career Robert travelled extensively for business and he and Sally traveled extensively to Europe for pleasure. In 1990 Robert retired fully and he and Sally ventured on a dream trip around the world, touring many countries in the far and middle east. Robert and Sally discovered Hilton Head in the 80's and thoroughly enjoyed Hilton Head as a travel destination.  They could be found on the island for many weeks in the fall with family while enjoying the bike trails, the restaurants, and the beach and ocean. Robert celebrated his 91st birthday this past February with his son Stephen and family in attendance and his daughter Diane and her family via zoom. His final wishes were to turn 91 years old, and to live his last months of life in his house of 50 plus years, where he could continue to enjoy so many wonderful memories.  He accomplished both and passed quietly, quickly and peacefully at home in the company of his daughter Diane. Robert is preceded in death by his wife Sally, his brother Bill, his sister Dorothy, his son Paul and his great-grandson Robert Alan. Robert is survived by his daughter June (Wayne Shoemaker), daughter Diane (Richard Lange), daughter in law Vicki (son Paul Gabriel), son Stephen (Jaqui Gabriel) and many blessed and beautiful grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  A small graveside ceremony is planned for later this year, where Robert's and Sally's ashes will be joined with Paul's.