Russell Louis Gabier

Russell Louis Gabier, age 90, died on February 18 at the Rose Arbor Hospice Residence in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Russ was born to Emeline and Leo Gabier on October 1, 1927 in Mesick, Michigan and grew up near Cadillac among the pine trees and crystal lakes. His brother Wendell was born seven years after Russ. A state champion in the one-mile track event, Russ graduated from Cadillac High School in 1946, joined the army that same year, and served in Japan. At Western Michigan University, Russ won the MAC championship in track, held the record for the mile, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991. He worked as a high school teacher and the principal of a junior high school before beginning a long career at WMU, where he worked as assistant director of admissions, starting in 1958. He retired as WMU Director of Alumni Affairs and Development in 1986. Married to Georgie Gabier, he became father to Andrea in 1956. Georgie died shortly after Christmas in 1985. Russ became the first executive director of the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation in 1986. On May 22, 1993, he married Roberta. Having retired from the Gilmore Foundation in 1992, he continued serving as a trustee until December 2013. He and Roberta traveled frequently, enjoyed visits to their farm in northern Michigan, watched their children grow, lived, laughed and loved for twenty-five years before he passed. On Monday, March 12th Russ's life will be celebrated at the First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo. Come have lunch and visit with dear ones at noon. A memorial service will follow at 1:30. His ashes will be interred at Fort Custer National Cemetery. Memorial donation may be made in Russ's name to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.