Ryan Lind Gabel

Longtime San Francisco resident, Ryan Lind Gabel, 48, died peacefully in his Sonoma home, surrounded by his loving family, on Tuesday, July 8, 2014, after a valiant two-year battle with brain cancer.  Ryan was one of two children born to Marcia Lu Woodbury (Lui Horstmeyer) of Boise, Idaho, and Walter Raymond Gabel (Barb) of Hebron, Illinois, on April 27, 1966. He is survived by his sister, Robyn Gabel (Joe Brain); uncles, Roger Woodbury (Anita), of Tucson, Arizona, Marc Woodbury (Liz), of Edenton, North Carolina, Wayne Woodbury, of Edenton, North Carolina; and aunt, Lisa Woodbury, of Sonoma.  Ryan is the proud cousin to Kim (Tim), Kevin and Tori, Jeff (Timothy) Spence, Ella, and Claudia, Stephen and Nick; and furry friends, Tilly, Luna, OG, Paco, Kiki, Gracie, Lucy, Cali; and many other cousins and friends whom were blessed to have known him.  He was preceded in death by his beloved maternal grandparents, Maurice and Elsie Woodbury and paternal grandparents Walter and Ethel Gabel.

Ryan loved music and the outdoors.  His first band, Baby Frank and the Commandos, was at 8 years old with his sister Robyn in Whitewater, Wisconsin, where they entertained after performing at ski shows, barefoot water skiing and pyramiding.  He also loved visiting his grandparent’s drug store in Hebron, Illinois, to enjoy four-scoop ice cream cones.  In his pre-teen years, Ryan rode dirt bikes along the Monterey coastline with his family and friends, frequenting the gorgeous beaches of Big Sur and Carmel, swam on the school swim team, and was a member of the Boy Scouts of America.  Ryan went to Monterey elementary schools, Sonoma Altimira Middle School and Sonoma Valley High School, graduating in 1984.

Ryan spent his teenage years in Sonoma, hiking and camping the local mountains with his friends and playing his guitar.  In the ’90s, Ryan was a very well-known bartender in Sausalito, the Marina and Mission districts in San Francisco.

Ryan was known for his eclectic musical play list and bloody Marys that brought customers in.  At this time, he was also the bass player for a well-known San Francisco band “17 Reasons,” An avid sailor, Ryan often crewed on racing sailboats in San Francisco Bay continuing his deep connection with nature.

Choosing a sober lifestyle, Ryan became very involved with the Oakland and San Francisco Salvation Army charitable foundations dedicated to doing the most good for human needs spending many hours of his life dedicated to the cause. He had just received his six-year chip from Alcoholics Anonymous in January 2014.  At this venture, he discovered his love for electricity and became an apprentice electrician working with various companies, the last being Komater Electric RLC.

Continuing his love for music, Ryan currently played the bass with Rick McKay and the Gentleman’s Quarterly band of San Francisco. He was a passionate fisherman, who loved to cook what he caught over a campfire, while laughing with friends and family.  Ryan loved to read books at Ocean Beach, snowboard the Sierras as often as possible, and travel the world with his family.

A celebration of Ryan’s life will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, 2014, at DeAnza Moon Valley Community Center, 1001 – Fifth St. W., Sonoma, CA 95476.  Please join us for some of Ryan’s favorite foods, music and wonderful memories.

The family asks that you consider a donation in memory of Ryan Gabel to the San Francisco Salvation Army at donate.salvationarmyusa.org/ or mail to The Salvation Army, Donations Processing Center, P.O. Box 60006, Prescott, AZ 86304.

Arrangements cared for under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel, Mission Cremation Service. Inquiries can be made to (707) 996-3655 or at www.duggansmissionchapel.com.