Rest In Peace - Al Dobel

I share the following from Raquel Cerveny, daughter of Al Dobel.  

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and may the perpetual light shine upon him.

Tami and I are heartbroken to share the news that our sweet dad, a grandfather, uncle, brother and good friend to so many, has passed away due to complications with Parkinson’s earlier this morning.  Dad was a beacon of light for all those whose path he crossed, his quiet faith the bedrock of his life.

Born in Sacramento, Ca. March 23, 1936 to Loretta (Donovan) and George Dobel, dad was the eldest of three boys. Predeceased by his wife, Carol (Meuer), and younger brother Mark. Allan leaves behind his two daughters, Raquel (John) Cerveny, and Tami (Glenn) Curtis, and beloved grandchildren Kellan, Cate Molly, Jack and Ryan. Dad also leaves  his much loved brother, (Paul) Steve (Inge) Dobel of San Francisco, numerous nephews and nieces and beloved cousins Suzi (Felix/Richard) Isbell and Don (Shirley) Dobel, as well as a large network of friends within the Ojai valley most especially the Wannabees, and including members of the St. Thomas Aquinas parish, of which he was a member for over forty years. 

Dad was a constant and devoted parishioner at St.Thomas Aquinas parish, as well as a frequent attendee to Mass at the sweet chapel at St. Joseph’s in east Ojai. He served his community as a lector, leading “A Day as a  Monk” retreats, as well as RCIA classes for catechumens entering the Catholic faith and volunteering at the annual church festival and homeless outreach programs. Dad also occasionally taught beginning Hebrew classes at Thomas Aquinas College. 

Tami and I  want to express our deepest gratitude for the unrelenting, extraordinary loving care dad received by the staff at The Gables of Ojai the six years he lived there and most especially that of Daisy Martinez, Kayle Hardman, Maria, Deborah, Selma  Desiree, Esperanza, Jackie, Carole Sullivan and David. Your care has been exceptional and noteworthy. Our deep thanks as well to Deirdre Daly, a third daughter, our eyes, ears, and most especially our heart, who was a constant and loving extension of our family during dad’s final days. Deirdre, we are beyond blessed to have been on this journey with you. To Father Peter Gelfer, you have been a special source of strength and wisdom and love to us. Thank you for your radical availability to us during these difficult days. 

Dad wished to be cremated, and his ashes will be interned next to Carol, in Middleton, Wisconsin in the fall. One of dad’s favorite psalms was “I lift up mine eyes to the mountains: from whence shall come my help? My help shall come from the Lord who made heaven and earth.” (Ps 121) Donations  may be made in his memory to the Ojai Land Conservancy https://ovlc.orgn in celebration of the life of a man who loved this sweet valley, her trails and mountains and her people.

An open air funeral Mass will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas on Monday, August 10th at 4 pm. Please wear a mask, and know that we certainly understand if you are unable to attend due to the extenuating risk that the Covid-19 virus brings at a gathering such as this. Cold beverages will be served afterwards, also outdoors.