Marshall Wren Gabel

Gabel, Marshall Wren
Rochester: November 23, 2007. Marshall Wren Gabel died peacefully in his sleep at home at the age of 98. He is survived by his wife of 75 years, Esther Conger, by three children: Katherine (Connie), Carolyn (Leslie) and Conger Wren (Mary-Jo), and by six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Wren was born in Larned, Kansas, on August 11, 1909. He had many fond memories of fishing and hunting, working on the range, and working in his father's flour mill during his boyhood days in Kansas. He received an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Kansas in 1931 with the distinction of First Honor Man for his class. He met Esther Conger at the University in September of 1930 and they were married on October 5, 1932. Wren began his 38-year career with Eastman Kodak Company as a Chemical Engineer and completed his career in 1969 as Executive Vice President. In 1939, Wren received a Master of Science in Business and Engineering Administration from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a member of the first class of Alfred P. Sloan Fellows. Wren and Esther remember fondly the many wonderful Kodak people they knew around the world during Wren's career.
Wren had the privilege to serve on a number of Boards and Committees, including the Corporation of MIT, the Board of Trustees of Rochester Institute of Technology, the Board of Directors of Lincoln First Bank of Rochester, an Elder of Brick Presbyterian Church, and the boards of several community service organizations.
Wren and Esther have been able to stay in their home during their retirement years. Every day, they gave thanks for their good health, many loving years together and the friendship and love of their family, friends and care-givers. We will all remember Wren as a loving husband and father, an able and productive businessman and a friend and contributor to the community.
A family service is planned. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to the American Red Cross, 50 Prince St., Rochester, New York 14607.