Richard Gaebler Obituary

Richard Adams
Gaebler
January 21, 1937
October 15, 2022

Richard Adams Gaebler passed into eternity with his Savior, Yeshua, on October 15, 2022, having lived an adventurous 85 years. He is survived by his wife Kennetha, sons Randy and Matt, daughters-in-law Teresa and Jill, and grandchildren John and Gretchen. Richard is also survived by his brother Ted Gaebler and sister Peggy Morscheck, while he was preceded in death by his father Herman E., mother Ruth A., and brother Robert A. Gaebler.
Richard (Dick) was born and grew up in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. After obtaining an appointment to the first class of the United States Air Force Academy (the 59ers), he finished his degree and obtained his commission in the U.S. Air Force at Ohio State. In the Air Force he flew F-86s, F-100s as well as A-1Es in Vietnam.
Dick and Kennetha married in 1958. During those tumultuous 1960s, and despite numerous military relocations, he was a devoted husband and father, taking his family with him wherever he was stationed, and was incredibly active with his extended family and friends.
A long and intrepid commercial aviation career followed, beginning with a dream job at Pan Am that was interrupted by a recall to active duty for a year during the Pueblo Crisis. Then Dick pivoted to the ex-patriot life, flying mostly overseas for the next 25 years. Those years would see the family living in Malaysia and London, as well as Beirut, Tehran, Jeddah, and Bahrain. One may well imagine, though not possibly enumerate, the places he went and things he did during those years living life with verve and gusto.
In retirement, by contrast, Dick lived a quiet life in Colorado Springs, where he was a devoted grandfather, a kindred spirit to all dogs, and a ready hand for those in need. Dick was a complex man whose temperament and experience gave him an expansive range of knowledge he was ready to share, and will be remembered for that as well as his resilience in difficulties and his infectious joie de vivre.
A celebration of his life will be held at Patty Jewett Clubhouse, November 7th, from 10 AM until noon.