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Evergreen High School University of California| Berkeley University of Toledo

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Lowell Habel Obituary

HABEL

Lowell William

Lowell William Habel, 60, of Irvine, CA passed away Wednesday, May, 27, 2015, in his home. He was born April 4, 1955, in Toledo to the late Maynard and Juleen (Jones) Habel.

Lowell grew up in Fulton County, and graduated from Evergreen High School in 1973. He then graduated from the University of Toledo and the University of California in Santa Barbara. His life included working as a teacher and a consultant in the public speaking and communication field. He was still teaching at the time of his death, and created and consulted with many major companies on a wide range of communication relationships in life and in the workplace.

Lowell was funny, quirky, outgoing, loyal, and dedicated. He was committed to his craft of furthering communication and excellence for the future of his many beloved students, his family, and his friends. A scholarship was created in his name.

He is survived by his sisters, Conni (Steve) Stephens of Colorado and Deb Langenderfer of Metamora; his brothers, Bob Habel of Highland, CA and Paul Habel and Morgan (Tess) Habel, both of Delta, and his nephews and nieces, Darryl, Dustin and Wendy Langenderfer, Andrea Wingo, Oliver, Claudia, Owen, Tia, and Caroline Habel, Carrie Watkins, and Jacque Seay.

He was also preceded in death by a brother, Alan Michael.

A California memorial service was held Saturday, May 30, 2015, at UCI. Fairhaven Memorial Garden and Mortuary of Santa Ana, CA was entrusted with arrangements.

A local memorial service of sharing and celebration of life will be held 1-4 p.m. Saturday, June 13, 2015, at Lytton Zion United Church of Christ, 12892 County Road 5, in Delta. For information, contact Deb Langenderfer at 419-410-2805.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Blade on Jun. 7, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Lowell Habel

15 Entries

Jacque

June 14, 2015

I love you and will miss you Uncle Lowell. I look forward to the day I will see you again and we will set on a bench in heaven and make up crazy commentary about the new arrivals and laugh. I will miss your laugh and your smile! Try to stay out mischief and hug Grandma and Grandpa for me!

Luis Amezcua

June 12, 2015

I will miss you my friend , Lowell was a client of mine I cut his hair , for 15 years and he was always in a great mood we had long conversation about my family and our Lord Jesus ,and we love laughing together I will see you one day my friend

June 12, 2015

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June 12, 2015

June 11, 2015

Communications professor leaves a lasting impression on students
Chapman University
5/21/15
When Emily Ekman signed up to take a gender and communication course with communication studies professor Lowell Habel, she never expected the class to have such a huge impact on her life. The small class grew closer throughout the semester, but learned much more than what was on the syllabus.

Habel recently revealed to the class that he is sick and has cancerand that their gender and communication course may be the last class he will ever teach.

Although Habel is scheduled to be the instructor for two courses in the fall, Lisa Sparks, chair of the communication studies department, said that he's focusing on getting his energy back and has yet to decide if he'll return.

He inspires students by truly believing in them and what they can do with the new knowledge they are learning in his classes, Sparks said. If he is not able to return to the classroom next fall, the students will miss an opportunity to experience his infectious enthusiasm and love of teaching Chapman students.

Habel couldn't be reached for comment because of hospitalizations due to his current condition.

(Habel) truly cared about each of our lives and progress in the class, said Ekman, a business administration and communication studies major. I've made a lot of good friends in the class, and it has helped me gain the confidence I need to participate in other classes and to step outside my comfort zone.

Habel created an unparalleled learning environment that was largely discussion-based, according to the students in the course. I think just listening to what everyone had to say taught me so much about gender, said Brittany Yeh, a sophomore strategic and corporate communications major. Gender communication is sometimes a really misunderstood topic and can be a touchy subject I really learned so much more than I ever even imagined.

Many students in the class expressed that they feel a lasting friendship with their classmates, which they attribute to Habel and the environment he created in the class.
I left his class being able to say that everyone in the class is a good friend of mine now and have met some of my best friends at Chapman, said Sydney Jacobs, a sophomore communication studies major. There was no anxiousness or fear of failure because his class created a family environment where everyone was supportive of each other.

Jacobs said that after taking classes with Habel, she feels like she's walking away more mature, more able to have meaningful discussions and is open to seeing the world from other people's perspectives.

Darryl

June 11, 2015

I will miss you Uncle Lowell

June 11, 2015

In remembrance: Lowell Habel, adjunct professor of communications

MAY 28, 2015

Lowell Habel, a popular adjunct professor who taught core courses in communications at Brandman University, passed away May 27 at his home in Irvine.
Lowell brought his wonderful spirit and love of our discipline to our students until the last week of this spring semester, teaching courses in interpersonal, gender and intercultural communication, wrote Jeff Compangano, an adjunct professor at Chapman University where Habel also taught as an adjunct.
Habel was 60 and had been teaching at Brandman since 2013. He taught one or two courses each term, both online and at the Irvine campus. Faculty Services specialist Charles Cunningham of the Irvine and West L.A. campuses said that Habel taught students from every academic discipline. A corporate communications consultant, Habel worked with employees in the business world at all levels to enhance their overall communication with others (one-to-one and group). He was a graduate of UC Santa Barbara.

June 11, 2015

Sent on behalf of Santa Monica College President Chui L. Tsang

Dear SMC Community:

We are deeply saddened to note that long-time adjunct English professor Lowell Habel has passed away. He lost his battle with cancer on May 27, 2015.

Lowell was born in Toledo, Ohio in 1955 and was the fourth of six children. Lowell was an Eagle Scout. He earned his B.A. from the University of Toledo and a M.A. from UC Santa Barbara. He started working at SMC in 1989. He also taught at Orange Coast College, West LA College, UCLA, Pasadena City College, and UC Irvine.

He lived for many years in Irvine from where he cheerfully made the commute twice a week to teach his 6:30 a.m. class. His retention rate was consistently very high which is somewhat remarkable considering that he always taught early morning classes. His peer evaluations always reflected Lowell's excellent rapport and connection with his students. His colleagues remember him as a professor who had an ability to engage, challenge, empower, and encourage his students. His student evaluations often mentioned his warmth and sense of humor and students acknowledged that although his expectations and standards were high, he inspired them to do their best and did so in a climate of mutual respect and caring.

Anyone who knew Lowell would immediately agree with his students' commentshe will be sorely missed, said a statement from the English department. They recall his lifelong interest in theater, how much he loved teaching at SMC, and wanted to finish teaching this semester.

Lowell is survived by his sister Connie Stephens and her husband Jim of Cortez, Colorado; his brother Robert of Highland, California; his sister Debbie Langenderfer and brothers Paul and Morgan of Ohio; and 11 nieces and nephews. Lowell's Celebration of Life was held on Saturday, May 30, at the University Club Library at UC Irvine.

Donations may be made in Lowell's memory to the Lowell Habel Celebration of Life Scholarship at Orange Coast College (online at www.orangecoastcollege.edu >About Us>Foundation or by checks to the OCC Foundation with Lowell Habel indicated).

-Dr. Chui L. Tsang

June 11, 2015

Chapman University Communications Professor Leaves a Lasting Impression on students
5/21/15

When Emily Ekman signed up to take a gender and communication course with communication studies professor Lowell Habel, she never expected the class to have such a huge impact on her life. The small class grew closer throughout the semester, but learned much more than what was on the syllabus.

Habel recently revealed to the class that he is sick and has cancerand that their gender and communication course may be the last class he will ever teach.

Although Habel is scheduled to be the instructor for two courses in the fall, Lisa Sparks, chair of the communication studies department, said that he's focusing on getting his energy back and has yet to decide if he'll return.

He inspires students by truly believing in them and what they can do with the new knowledge they are learning in his classes, Sparks said. If he is not able to return to the classroom next fall, the students will miss an opportunity to experience his infectious enthusiasm and love of teaching Chapman students.

Habel couldn't be reached for comment because of hospitalizations due to his current condition.

(Habel) truly cared about each of our lives and progress in the class, said Ekman, a business administration and communication studies major. I've made a lot of good friends in the class, and it has helped me gain the confidence I need to participate in other classes and to step outside my comfort zone.

Habel created an unparalleled learning environment that was largely discussion-based, according to the students in the course.

I think just listening to what everyone had to say taught me so much about gender, said Brittany Yeh, a sophomore strategic and corporate communications major. Gender communication is sometimes a really misunderstood topic and can be a touchy subject I really learned so much more than I ever even imagined.

Many students in the class expressed that they feel a lasting friendship with their classmates, which they attribute to Habel and the environment he created in the class.

I left his class being able to say that everyone in the class is a good friend of mine now and have met some of my best friends at Chapman, said Sydney Jacobs, a sophomore communication studies major. There was no anxiousness or fear of failure because his class created a family environment where everyone was supportive of each other.

Pat

June 9, 2015

I knew Lowell from our days as undergrads at UT. He was always upbeat and fun to be around. He knew how to snap you out of a blue mood. Great friend, great loss.

June 8, 2015

I was a student of his at OCC this last semester. He was such a genuine person and my favorite professor. I'm thankful I had the opportunity to get to know him, in the short amount of time it was, and will always remember his passion to teach and sense of humor.