H. Walter Gabler

Walt Gabler of Renton passed away on July 20, 2013 at age 77. Walt is survived by his wife Anita Gabler of Renton, daughter Kris Gabler of Kent, 3 stepdaughters (Susan Kuehne of Auburn, Sharon Ransom of Kent, and Teri Brownell of Naples, FL), 7 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and several relatives in Germany. Walt was preceded in death by his son Kurt. Walt was born on July 20, 1936 in Hammond, IN to German immigrants Walter O. and Helene Gabler. In 1948, the family moved from Chicago, IL to Spokane, WA. Walt graduated from Lewis and Clark High School and received a business degree from Gonzaga University. He served in the Washington Air National Guard, as well as the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves. Walt moved to Renton in 1963 and worked at Boeing in Renton until 1970. He then worked as a civilian employee at Fort Lewis and as a project manager for Sea-First Bank. In 1977, he rejoined the Boeing Company in Auburn, where he found his true calling as a facilities planner. He retired from Boeing after 26 years of service in 1994. Walt was an avid car enthusiast and enjoyed anything related to cars, both full size and miniature. He had a good sense of humor and liked to share jokes with family and friends. He appreciated the simple things in life – such as good company, good food, a good story, his favorite music and beautiful scenery. He will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by the family and friends he treasured so much. A memorial service was held on July 31, 2013 at Hillcrest Burial Park in Kent. In lieu of flowers, the family had requested that donations be made to the MRSA Foundation, American Cancer Society or American Diabetes Association.