Frederick Conrad Gabrielson Jr.

He is preceded in death by his wife Eileen Kay McKibben Gabrielson.

Survivors include his devoted children: Mark Gabrielson of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Karen Strickland (Tim) of Daphne, Alabama, and Christine Chewning of Lexington, Kentucky; Granddaughters Morgan Kelley of Houston, Texas and Hannah Kelley (Zak) of Northport, Alabama; Grandsons Logan Chewning (Danellie) of Brookwood, Alabama and Colton Chewning of Lexington, Kentucky; Great-grandchildren include Blair Brooks, Emerson Kelley, John Clay Hampton, and Everett Chewning, expected in April.

Fred was born and raised in Rockland, Maine, the only child of Frederick and Louise Gabrielson. He was raised in Bar Harbor, Maine on Mount Desert Island, the site of Acadia National Park. He hiked all the trails, climbed all the mountains, and fished the streams and lakes in the park he knew and loved so well.

Following high school, Fred worked at Roscoe B. Jackson Research Laboratory in Bar Harbor. He was later drafted into the Army, where he served as a medic for two years. He returned to his job at Jackson Lab, where he met Eileen. The two of them worked alongside the Nobel Prize Winner in Genetics, Dr. George W. Snell. They married a year later in 1957. In the early years of their marriage, Fred earned a B.S. in Education as well as an M.S. in Botany from the University of Maine and a Ph.D. in Plant Ecology from the University of Georgia. In 1969, he joined the Biological Sciences Department at the University of Alabama. He was lovingly known to all his students as “Dr. G”, even well beyond his retirement in 1996. For many years he was also director of the University of Alabama Arboretum and the liaison for UA’s Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium. Always a consummate teacher, his love of teaching was reflected in his ability to share his enthusiasm and knowledge with students, family, friends, and strangers alike.

Fred was a hiker, birder, and camper who traveled with his wife and children each summer throughout the United States and Canada, a tradition that the next generation has enthusiastically preserved. Fred and Eileen were a familiar sight in their neighborhood, walking miles each day while keeping a record of birds, butterflies, and other wildlife they observed. Devoted supporters of the Crimson Tide, he and Eileen attended more football, baseball, and basketball games than their family could count.

Fred’s grandchildren will always remember his sense of humor, from funny rhymes and jokes to his endless repertoire of random, quirky facts. If it was unusual or amusing, Fred knew and loved sharing it. Fred showed his devotion to his family in countless ways: by being calm and uncomplaining during frequent family travels and events, by voluntarily becoming the chef of the house after his retirement, by creating delicious meals for all to enjoy, and most of all, by giving his generous and unquestioned love.

No formal services will be held, and a private visitation will be held for the family at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Fred’s memory may be made to The University of Alabama Arboretum, Box 870344. Tuscaloosa, AL 35487.