David R. Gebel

David R. Gebel was born on November 12, 1957 in New Hampton, Iowa to Agnes M. Gebel and Robert M. Gebel. He has three siblings: Joe Gebel, Chris Gebel, and Cathy Humpal. David married his middle school sweetheart, Jackie M. Kendall-Gebel on June 1, 1980 and they were looking forward to their fortieth wedding anniversary this summer. He attended Iowa State University with Jackie and they moved to Colorado in 1980 so Jackie could attend seminary. David instantly fell in love with Colorado and there was no looking back. He was an architect specializing in LEED building, hospitals, and high-tech labs- because he wanted to help people and that was his way. We were trying to find a count of the number of hospitals he worked on but the number was too impossibly large for us to calculate. He was particularly proud of his work on the Vail Hospital (multiple times), Anschutz Medical Campus, and the CU Boulder Biotechnology building, although he took pride in everything that he did and did everything well. He was a devoted member of the Kirk of Bonnie Brae, UCC. He was dearly beloved by his wife Jackie, daughter Carrie M. Herring; her husband, Nolan G. Herring; daughter Eva E. Gebel; and her fiancé, Richard P. Rowlands.

Our dad was always there for us in a quiet, but funny way. He was always humble, but amazingly present in our lives. He was there to fix things (unless it was a noisy toy that needed batteries), listen to problems (with chocolate), give advice (like ""don't eat yellow snow""), and make us laugh (often with a funny joke or drawing). He was fearless, sometimes to our horror, like when he got too close to a rattlesnake or left the window down in a bear park. He made the best pancakes and always greeted us with breakfast on Sunday mornings before church. When we acted up, he was kind, and he never complained, even if we got sprinkles in his hair. He always made sure we were safe and tucked in at night, even if we were pretending to sleep so we could be carried upstairs. We will always remember the times he spent building Lincoln logs into incredible creations, introducing us to creature features, helping us with our cars and houses, and the times we spent laughing together. He danced with us and taught with us and built with us. He offered us guidance, love, and support and helped turn us into the people we are today. We may never be as good at packing or starting a fire with one match as he was, but whatever we do, he is part of it.

If you would like to make a donation in his honor, we ask that you make a donation to a cause dear to him.

Zamni Fondwa- An organization that helps to build houses for families in Haiti, an organization that he volunteered with for people who he loved. You may donate money to help build a house in his name. For more information visit zanmifondwa.com.

Vitalant blood drive- Once a quarter Vitalant (formerly Bonfils) gathers at our church for a blood drive and this was something that David loved to participate in. The next vitalant blood drive at the Kirk of Bonnie Brae is on February 23 from 9:00 AM- 1:00 PM. You can sign up to donate with us (and help fill his donation slot) by calling 303-363-2300 or visiting donors.bonfils.org and using site code B110.

Consider becoming an organ and tissue donor. David was a donor and we are grateful that part of him will continue to live and help others. For more information visit www.donoralliance.org or organdonor.gov.

Visitation will be Friday, January 24 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Kirk of Bonnie Brae, UCC

The service will be Saturday, January 25 at 10:30 AM also at the Kirk of Bonnie Brae, UCC (1201 s. Steele St. Denver, CO 80210)

 

Please leave a comment as condolence for his family below.