Richard Louis Gable
December 12, 1946 - April 15, 2025
Visitation: Friends will be received May 19, 2025, from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM at Devlin Funeral Home, 806 Perry Hwy.
Richard Louis Gable, 78, of Valencia (formerly of Fox Chapel), passed away on April 15, 2025. Son of the late William Leo and Magdalene (Rossiter) Gable; husband of 53 years to Diane Robertson Gable; loving father to Jenna (Daniel) Lutz; proud grandfather to Miranda Martinez, Sara Magill, Patricia Magill, Jeremy Lutz and Madison Lutz; Brother to the late William Gable, Michael (Val Kish) Gable (the late Susan Quinn) and Gerald Gable (Mary); Also survived by loving relatives and friends. Richard retired in 2018 after 44 years of dedication working at Shady Side Academy’s Senior School, forming lasting relationships with colleagues and former students alike. He will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Friends will be received May 19, 2025, from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM at Devlin Funeral Home, 806 Perry Hwy. Please consider donating in Richard’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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Richard Gable was an excellent teacher and administrator; his profound respect and care for students and colleagues was evident, always. It was a privilege to work with him.
I have really fond memories of Mr. Gable from my time at SSA (‘08). He was kind and patient and very, very helpful. He went above and beyond to help me sort out my schedule and credits to accommodate a study abroad trip. I’m sorry to hear of his loss. Echoing others in saying that he will be missed.
Richard was my dean of students (class of 1983), who we slightly feared as teenagers, and my SSA colleague for 27 years. Consistent, fair, kind and inquisitive, I so appreciated his steady presence and his support of all students, particularly those who could use an advocate. I will miss our chats in recent years at the Community Center as we passed in and out of exercise classes.
Richard remains a model for me of a great school person. He put kids first, was always principled, and was dedicated to doing the right thing.
From teaching generations of budding physicians and scientists to making the engine of SSA hum, he will be missed.
May all who mourn him be blessed by his memory.
Inorganic elective with Mr. Gable was one of the most ridiculous and delightful opportunities. We had so much fun as a small group and got to know Mr. Gable beyond the usual Gable grams. He had the firm exterior of an educator of a by-gone era with the softest, cuddliest teddy bear core. He was and always will be an institution himself. I still have the colorful periodic table he shared with me (literally out of an old chemistry periodical he had on hand from decades ago) hanging on my wall at home right now and think of him, the academy, and my phosphorous independent study so fondly. He will be missed.
As a freshman, I remember being intimidated by Dean Gable and his authoritative demeanor, but by senior year, I had grown quite fond of him and the twinkle in his eye. Rest in peace, Dean Gable, and thank you for your many years of service.
Dr. Gable was one of my favorite teachers at SSA. He was very kind at an awkward, nerdy time of my life. May he rest in peace and his memory be a blessing.
I was a student of Richard’s (class of 2007) and feel fortunate to have gotten to know him better towards the end of high school in his chemistry elective, which was a more intimate group of students. My other memory of him (I hope I’m getting this right!) is that I believe he was the most consistent and prolific blood donor every year, setting a wonderful example as usual.
Dean Gable – such a loss. He was kind and fair. I was a student at SSA (class of 1986) when he was Dean of the upper school. I spent a full day in his office, in in-school suspension. It was a great day getting to know him. Thank you, Dean Gable.
Richard was one of the first administrators I ever worked with when I discovered the world of independent schools and he remains one of the very best mentors I’ve ever had. Kindly curmudgeon with a heart of gold who loved kids and colleagues alike. May his memory be a blessing. He will be missed.