In December, Ohio University lost two students described by family, friends and professors as older than their years.
Daniel Gabel, a 22-year-old from Tipp City who studied English and graduated this fall, died suddenly Dec. 8. Alex Bibler, a 21-year-old junior from Cincinnati studying mathematics, died ten days later. The Hamilton County coroner's office is still investigating the latter's death.
DANIEL GABEL
Daniel loved learning from an early age, said his mother Jo Gabel, recalling his excitement after receiving an almanac as a child. That desire to learn carried into his college years.
He asked me once about Coleridge's notebooks
which is a really sophisticated curiosity for an undergraduate said Matthew VanWinkle, an English professor, referring to the notebooks of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, a poet who helped develop Romanticism in British literature. Dan seemed to really enjoy thinking and he thought with humor and insight.
His friends said Gabel put that knowledge to good use by offering a listening ear and insightful advice.
No matter what question I had
he always knew what to do
said Daniel's friend Calvin Wampler, a senior studying psychology.
Leighanne Bayliff, a senior studying communication at Sinclair Community College, was one of Daniel's closest friends before he came to college.
It's great to know he touched a lot of lives
Bayliff said. He was an amazing guy with an amazing spirit
and he will be missed by very many people.
Daniel's mother emphasized how grateful she is for the cards, letters and support she received from OU professors and faculty in the last month.
You don't get that from most schools
she said. It's really precious that so many people cared about him.
ALEX BIBLER
The first thing anyone noticed about Alex Bibler was his fiery red hair
said Bart Rennels, a friend and senior studying economics.
He was a leader
Rennels said. He'd do what he wanted to do
regardless of what other people were doing or thought of it.
Alex's sense of humor was among his best characteristics, said his mother, Lindsay Bibler.
He told the worst puns
