Gabel, Albert

Albert A. Gabel, DVM, MS,

Diplomate ACVS, aged 91, passed away peacefully on April 12, 2021. He was born near Fremont, Ohio and raised on a farm.

Al graduated first in his class from The Ohio State

University College of Veterinary

Medicine in 1954.

Following his graduation, he served for two years as a public health inspector in the U.S. Air Force in Germany,

where he was awarded a Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service. Al returned to The Ohio State

University and earned a

Master of Science in Veterinary

Surgery in 1959. His master’s degree research led to the first practical, useful general anesthesia in horses. During his 33 years at The Ohio State

University College of Veterinary

Medicine, he was a top equine clinician and surgeon who pioneered techniques for diagnosing and treating lameness in horses. His specialty led him to enthusiastically pursue the sport of Standardbred

harness horse racing.

He had a gift for turning what he called counterfeit trotters into winners. He was head of the Clinical

Equine Section from 1971 until 1989. He authored or co-authored more than 100 peer reviewed articles as well as several hundred articles that appeared in all his accomplishments,

Al was most proud of the people he trained who became major contributors in equine medicine. Al mentored 23 resident-graduate students in veterinary medicine. His mentees recall Al’s passion for helping horses, their owners, and his students. He was known for his “Gabelisms” which were direct, amusing statements that got his students’ attention, encouraged them to think critically, and inspired them to act when treating horses.

Incidentally, some of these

“Gabelisms” were also used to teach his children.

In 2000, Al received the

American Association of Equine Practitioners

Distinguished Educator

Award. After his retirement in 1989, Al trained and drove Standardbred horses for eleven years. He was elected president of the

Ohio Standardbred Owners and Breeders Association in 1992 and initiated its merger with the Ohio Harness

Horsemen’s Association.

Al earned recognition as the U.S. Amateur Driver of the Year in 1995. His family took part in caring for the Standardbreds at the racetrack and at home.

Although reluctant at first, due to a lack of experience with horses, his wife, Lucy became his number one groom. Later in life, Al was a political activist. Taking

civic responsibility to heart, he wrote editorials, volunteered for campaigns, and worked on numerous issues. He enjoyed playing bridge with Lucy, vegetable gardening, and maintaining the hundreds of trees he planted at his home. He was avid fan of the Buckeyes,

Reds, and Bengals. Al was a member of St. Brigid of Kildare Catholic Church.

In all he did, Al was honest, generous, and fair. His example made an indelible impression on his family and everyone he met. He will be greatly missed. Al is survived by his devoted wife of 66 years, Lucille Gabel; his brother, James Gabel; his children, Mary Jane

Kreider, Edward (Suellen)

Gabel, Ruth (John) Pitman,

Carole (Kelly) Cusack,

Janet (James) Mullen and

Matthew (Patricia) Gabel; son-in-law, John Laporte; grandchildren, Nathan (Sarah) Kreider, Rachel

Gabel (Jacob Wollenberg),

Jonathan Laporte, Sarah

Hackett (Jeffrey), Samantha

Schodle (Robert), Jeffrey

Pitman, Maeve and Addy

Cusack, Claire Mullen,

Grace and Stella Gabel; and six great grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his brothers William Gabel and John Gabel, sister

Emma Genter, daughter

Ann Laporte and son-in-law

Perry Kreider. Visitation will take place on Monday,

April 19, 2021 from 4-8pm at MAEDER-QUINT TIBERI

Funeral Home, 1068 South

High Street, Columbus,

Ohio 43206. A Funeral

Mass will be held at St.

Brigid of Kildare Catholic

Church, 7179 Avery Road

Dublin, Ohio 43017 on

Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 11am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Family

Food Pantry, 57 South

Grubb Street, Columbus,

Ohio 43215, St. Brigid

School Endowment Fund, 7179 Avery Road, Dublin,

Ohio 43017 or The Vet

Med, 1954 Scholarship.

Checks should payable to

OSU Foundation, Memo line: 667490 at OSU

College of Vet Med, Attn:

Tiffany Connors, 1900 Coffey

Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210. To sign the online condolences please visit, www.maederquinttiberi.