GLOUCESTER: Dr. John W. Aberle, 91, passed away peacefully at his home in Gloucester on Tuesday, October 12, 2010. He was the husband of the late beloved Rose (Shoup) Aberle. They had shared fifty-seven years of marriage.
He was born on August 12, 1919 in Lodi, California. He graduated from the College of Business at San Jose State College, with "Great Distinction," in 1941. Jack continued his education by earning both his MBA and doctoral degrees at Stanford University.
He taught in the school of business at San Jose State for 41years, chairing the marketing department from 1956-1968. During this time he received the 1967 Distinguished Teaching Award for the State of California. Beloved by both students and colleagues, even up to the day of his death he was receiving letters from former students – some of whom he taught more than 60 years ago!
Jack’s military career paralleled his academic career. Serving first in the Naval Reserve from 1936-1942, he was later commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1943, served as a combat infantry instructor at Ft. Benning, GA and later joined the 41st Infantry Division in the South Pacific, remaining with the Division through the occupation of Japan. Upon returning to the US, he joined the California Army National Guard and retired as a Brigadier General in 1983.
Despite the gift of 91 years of life, the blow of his death is deeply felt by his family who dearly loved him. No one could ever have asked for a kinder, more generous and loving husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Lorie Aberle of San Jose, CA and Peter and Nancy Aberle of Gloucester; three grandsons, Lance Aberle of San Jose, CA, David and his wife, Janny Aberle of Gresham, OR, and Josiah and his wife, Madison Aberle of Gloucester; two granddaughters, Hilary of Boston and Christa of Denver, CO: five great-grandchildren, Alexandra, Brooke and Conner all of Gresham, OR and Braydon and Milo both of Gloucester.
A service will be held for Jack on Sunday October 17, at 4 p.m. at The Orthodox Congregational Church of Lanesville 1120 Washington Street. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. A collation will follow downstairs in the church vestry.