Fighting cancer to the end, Dick went to his new home October 13, 2013. He passed away peacefully with his family at his side at Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Perrysburg. He was born to Paul and Rita (Wolf) Gabel in Fremont , Ohio on March 6, 1943. Dick attended Catholic schools in Fremont until moving to Oregon , Ohio in 1958 where he then attended Clay High School . He met his future wife, Georgette Evans there. Upon graduation in 1961, he joined the USAF and was stationed in Dayton , Ohio , where he was a driver and ran the conference room for a Navy admiral. While in the Air Force, he became an expert shooter with handguns, traveling to many pistol matches and winning many trophies. Dick and Georgette were married in May 1965 and began their life journey together in Oregon , Ohio , living their entire 48 years of marriage there. Three children enlightened their lives, Matt, Cheryl and Greg. Dick became involved early on with his union life when he was hired at the CSX Coal and Ore Docks in Oregon , Ohio in 1967. He worked on the machines that loaded and unloaded the coal and ore ships. Dick loved his work and eventually became involved in the union at the docks The International Longshoremen'™s Association Local 1768. Throughout his life, Dick advocated for the betterment of the workers jobs and lives, whether it was working conditions or pay or benefits. That made his father-in-law, George Evans, quite happy as he too was a labor and union man. Of course, many deals were sealed over a cold beer in a relaxed atmosphere. He became president of his local ILA 1768 from 1982-1993 and also president of the Lake Erie Coal and Ore Dock Council. Eventually he became vice-president of the Atlantic Coast District in 1992 to 2006. He traveled to other docks negotiating contracts and resolving problems. In 2007 Dick was promoted to Vice President of the ILA and served in the same capacity. Being a trouble shooter, he negotiated for many things and for many different locals in many states. Many companies knew they had their hands full when he was at the bargaining table. Dick was appointed to the Toledo Lucas County Port Authority Board. He traveled to many cities and ports doing the work he loved. Other union brothers were taken under his wing to teach them the skills of negotiating so they could take over and eventually negotiate for themselves. His wife called him 'œa professional arguer'. Dick also served on the Oregon Board of Education as a member for several years and as the President of the Board. He was instrumental in initiating many new things into the schools. This gave him great satisfaction to give back to a school system he attended, his wife and children attended and two grandchildren who currently attend. He advocated for all in the system which would benefit every child. A business venture called 'œDebs' ice cream store at Navarre and White occupied many of his hours making ice cream cones for the customer. When not working he also enjoyed hunting in his early years with his good friend Joe Kiss. Boating, fishing and golfing were also favorite pastimes. To get his exercise, he enjoyed playing racquet ball and loved to run in Pearson Park . Dick'™s family was his true love and even with the long hours he worked he would spend quality time with them. Taking his family on trips to the Florida Keys was a major enjoyment. He also spent many fun times in Ft. Meyers Beach for every Easter break with his family. Teaching his children, nieces and nephews to ski, swim or snorkel was a pleasure he enjoyed. When the grandchildren started to arrive, he was an easy touch for whatever they wanted. They were the light of his life. Many trips were made to New York , Connecticut , Los Angeles or in Oregon , OH to visit, attend special occasions, birthday parties and sporting events. Family vacations were the best part of his life including Christmas trips to St. Kitts and Key West . Dick'™s biggest challenge in life was fighting kidney cancer for 9 ½ years engaging in several trial drug programs. He was a fighter and overcame and dealt with many side effects while still working for the union, school board and Port Authority Board. Dick never complained about his illness but just kept going and meeting every downfall 'œhead on'. He fought until the end when he made his final journey home. A big 'œthanks' goes out to his family, dedicated and wonderful neighbors and friends who helped him on this medical journey for 9 1/2 years. Also, thanks to his nurse, Laura Wood at the Cleveland Clinic and Dr. Brian Rini. They were the medical marvels that helped him fight this disease and make his life more tolerable. Thanks also to the people of Hospice of NW Ohio for such quality and loving care. They were so helpful to him and us. Dick will be tremendously missed by many. Surviving are his wife of 48 years, Georgette; children, Matt (Linda Lee), Cheryl (Jason Vislay) and Greg (Lisa Wood); grandchildren, Gabriella, Alexandra and Valentina Gabel; Marisa, Jenna, Jordan and Jake Vislay, Josh Cook, Samantha and Tommy Gabel; sisters, Judy (Ron) Scharff, Cathy (Ted) Greene and Annette (Gil) Nordlund. Dick was preceded in death by his parents and in-laws, George and Madge Evans. Friends and family may visit at the Eggleston Meinert & Pavley Funeral Home, Oregon Chapel, 440 S. Coy Road on Thursday and Friday from 2-8 p.m. Recitation of the rosary will be on Friday at 5 p.m. Funeral services will begin in the funeral home on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. and proceed to St. Ignatius Catholic Church, 212 N. Stadium Road for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow in St. Ignatius Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy in Dick'™s memory can be made to Cleveland Clinic Foundation, P.O. Box 931517 , Cleveland , OH 44193-1655 , and reference on memo line Kidney Cancer Research #055466 and to Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Visitation: Thursday and Friday from 2-8 p.m. Recitation of the Rosary Friday at 5:00 p.m Services: Saturday beginning in the Funeral Home at 9:00 am preceeding to St. Ignatius Catholic Church, 211 N. Stadium Rd. Oregon, Ohio for Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am Interment: St. Ignatius Cemetery, Oregon, Ohio Memorial Contributions to Cleveland Clinic Foundation P.O Box 931517 Cleveland, Ohio 44193-1655 Memo Line: Kidney Cancer Research Fund #055466 OR Hospice of Northwest Ohio 30000 East River Road Perrysburg, Ohio 43551