ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - Walter F. Gabel, formerly of Dover, died at home following an extended illness on May 11, 2016. Mr. Gabel was born on June 24, 1926 in Pennsylvania, the son of Louis and Lois Gabel. He was one of eight children. Mr. Gabel was a WWII veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theatre from 1944 to 1946. After the war, he graduated from Penn State University in 1950 with a degree in Forestry. He served 35 years in the Delaware Forestry Department, becoming the State Forester in 1977. Thousands of Delaware school-children may remember his costumed character visits to their classroom or Scout Troop as he enacted the educational role of Smokey Bear. He and wife, Patricia, retired in 1991, and soon relocated to Florida. He was a member of Shores United Methodist Church in St. Augustine. Walt was a member of several organizations including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Delaware Veterans Association, the Society of Mayflower Descendants, Society of American Foresters, Kent County Red Cross Disaster Team, Capital Grange, Delaware State Fire Police, Leipsic Volunteer Fire Co., charter member of the Daytona Beach/Palm Coast Penn State Alumni Association. Walt dedicated himself to a goal of lifelong learning and education. He received great pleasure sharing his knowledge with others. Over his lifetime he acted at various times in the role of museum docent, visiting University Professor, book author, newsletter editor, Fire Service instructor, lay speaker, Sunday school teacher and public speaker. His many hobbies included gardening, American History, and writing. One of his long-time passions was genealogy. He traced his family's roots back to the late 1500's. Walt is survived by his wife of 63 years, Patricia (nee Wagner), of St. Augustine, Fla.; daughters, Deborah (Samuel) Dawson, of Miami, Fla., and Priscilla (Stephen) Robinson, of Birmingham, Ala.; son, William (Julie), of Crofton, Md. Also survived by one brother, Thomas, and one sister, Ila. Mr. Gabel was pre-deceased by daughter, Jessica Gabel Triesler in 2010 Mr. Gabel had seven grandchildren, Brian (Tiffney) Triesler, Jennifer (Colby) Jones, Jacob Scott and Joshua Robinson, all of Birmingham, Ala.; Daniel Triesler, of Arizona, and Colin and Luke Gabel, of Crofton, Md.; one great-grandchild, Elijah Gabe Triesler. A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 21 at Shores United Methodist Church in St. Augustine. Interment will be held at Barratt's Chapel in Delaware at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shores United Methodist Church 724 Shores Blvd, St. Augustine, FL, 32086, or the Penn State Alumni Association Daytona/Palm Coast Chapter (Attn: Alan R) 29 Stratford Place, Ormond Beach, FL, 32174, in memory of Walter Gabel. Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Walt's Book of Memories page at www.Johnson-Overturffunerals.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home, Palatka, Fla.