HAROLD JAMES GABRIEL

met his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and entered Heaven’s gate with thanksgiving and praise on March 17, 2009, while his family was reading Psalm 100 to him. He was at his winter home in Green Valley.

Jim had a nine year valiant struggle with complications from full brain radiation that left him severely impaired. He was 76.

Fondly known as “H.J.” he was born on April 1, 1932, in Milwaukee, Wis. to Anton and Esther (Wegner) Gabriel.

A resident of Sheboygan, Wis. since 1963, Jim was a noted architect and retired chairman and CEO of the Stubenrauch Associates architectural firm in 1994. He led the design work on many, many schools, churches and other public buildings throughout Wisconsin. One of the notable projects he led is Blessed trinity (formerly St. Mary’s) Church in Sheboygan Falls, Wis., where Jim’s memorial service will be celebrated on June 26, 2009.

Jim was a leader among architects and was elected president of the American Institute Of Architects Wisconsin in 1988.

In 1979, he was appointed by Governor Lee Dryfus to serve as a member and later chairman of the Joint Examining Board of architects and engineers. He also served on the National Council of architectural Registration Boards, NCARB, from 1987-1988.

When in Green Valley, Jim met with several of his fellow Wisconsin architects, calling the gathering the “Arizona branch” of AIA Wisconsin.

In Sheboygan, Jim was involved in community and volunteer activities including Kiwanis, serving as president in 1992, ringing bells for the Salvation Army, Meals on Wheels, Boy Scouts and church.

He earned his degree in architecture from the University of Minnesota in 1955. He was also in ROTC.

As president of his architectural fraternity, Alpha Rho Chi, he hosted as his roommate the noted architect R. Buckminster Fuller, who was a visiting scholar at the time. Fuller, the inventor of the geodesic dome, was an inspiration and mentor to Jim.

At the University as a member of Alpha Phi Omega, a Boy Scout service fraternity, Jim served as chairman of their Campus Carnival, a mega event that raised thousands of dollars for scholarships.

Jim was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Air Force in 1955, and rose to the rank of captain. He served his country in Japan and Korea soon after the conflict and later served at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. There he was part of an elite team entrusted with protecting America’s nuclear arsenal.

Jim loved hunting and fishing and was a fan of NASCAR, Indy 500 and Road America. He also had his private pilot’s license.

Jim was a great baker and chef and built beautiful models. He taught his children many of these hands-on life skills.

He was a dedicated family man who took great pride in his family. He was a hard worker helping at every family reunion or festival. He had a “special” name for each of his children. His classic dry humor and “one liners” are remembered by all who knew him and he retained them to the end.

He is survived by Geraldine Eva (Cady) Gabriel, his beloved wife of 53 years; and by their loving children Paul Gabriel (Silke Sonntag) of New Glarus, Wis., Ann (Rauel) LaBreche of Prairie du Sac, Wis., Eric (Tracy) Gabriel of Yosemite National Park, Calif., Jenifer (Bob) Novak of Streamwood, Ill., Daniel (Sarah) Gabriel of Denmark, Wis. and Ali (Rooshi) Kahn of Villa Nova, Pa.; as well as his 17 grandchildren.

He is also survived by his siblings Richard (Mary) Gabriel, Virginia (Walter) Mayer and John (Chris) Gabriel; nieces, nephews and cousins; Aunt Irene; and many other family and friends.

Also surviving is his dedicated caregiver Norman Arkin. He was preceded in death by his parents.

H. James Gabriel was defined throughout life by great personal integrity. He was as honest and decent a person as any of us could ever hope to be and taught his children moral duty. He was a quiet legend, a humble and faithful servant to his family and others. Jim is missed more than words can express.

We wish to thank the entire staff of Valor Hospice in Green Valley. Their expert skill and care for Jim was matched only by their compassion for all of us.

If desired, memorials in memory of H. James Gabriel may be sent to The Salvation Army, 800-SAL-ARMY, www.salarmychicago.org or to Boy Scouts of America, 972-580-2000, www.scoutingfriends.org