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Peter Gabel, 75, law school professor/president, only child of Arlene Francis and Martin Gabel

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Diner

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Oct 27, 2022, 8:59:30 AM10/27/22
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This information was posted on a "What's My Line?" private fan group on Facebook. Mr. Gabel's personal Facebook page does not currently have any public posts on the subject.

(On a side note, the school he once served as president of, New College of California, shut down in 2008 in a major financial scandal, although Gabel himself was forced out before the collapse. Check out the Wikipedia page for an eye-opening look at its troubled history.)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/728471287199862/posts/5557654720948137/
Steve Willis
Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 6:37 AM

Sad news… Peter Gabel, son of Arlene Francis and Martin Gabel, passed away this week. I only knew Peter virtually and on social media, but he was always gracious and warm, and he was very happy that this page existed and celebrated his mother and father’s legacies on near daily basis. He and his partner, Lisa, joined us a few times on Zoom for WML-related book/film club meetings, and he was generous with sharing stories and insights about his parents. Deepest condolences to Lisa and all of Peter’s friends and family members.
This is a short bio of Peter by Chris Kanios that was posted on Peter’s Facebook page:
"We are saddened to announce the passing of Peter Gabel, former President and Professor of Law at New College of California, on October 25, 2022. Peter was 75 years old. He was dealing with several challenging health issues but had maintained positive energy and good spirits up to the very last moments. He is survived by his longtime life partner Lisa Jaicks and their son Sam and literally hundreds of former students and colleagues who have been enriched by their connection with Peter and his boundless energy and commitment for a more just and compassionate world. Peter dedicated much of his professional life to the progressive and utopic ideals New College strived to embody both inside the classroom and beyond and to the importance that an enlightened spirituality could play in promoting justice. Those fortunate to have had Peter as a professor were treated to a masterful classroom teacher who knew better than anyone how to combine the teaching of fundamental legal doctrine with a critical progressive perspective in a welcoming and supportive environment. Peter’s brilliant insights into politics, justice and spirituality will forever be recorded in his books, countless essays and articles, especially those in his role as associate editor of Tikkun magazine, and also in his YouTube video broadcasts, but it is his personal qualities of kindness, compassion, and caring that will be missed most. We will advise when memorial services will be held."

radioacti...@gmail.com

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Oct 27, 2022, 10:57:38 AM10/27/22
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Sad to learn this, but so grateful you posted it, Diner.

Though hardly as well known as his bride, the late (senior) Gabel was a fascinating member of the Manhattan literati set.

Something I learned only a few years ago about the late Arlene Francis, his ever-charming mother (and frequent stage star and occasional cinematic actress, as in her top-notch serio-comic turn as James Cagney's supportive if cynical wife in Billy Wilder's superb Cold War satire "One, Two, Three") was that that glittering heart-shaped, diamond*-festooned necklace pendant she reportedly wore on every edition of "What's My Line?" was stolen from her.

And not merely by some furtive cat burgler; rather, by a thug who assaulted her on a NYC street and yanked it off, presumably breaking its chain and not her neck. And that was long before the latest criminals'--best-friend mayor moved into Gracey Mansion.

BRYAN STYBLE/Florida
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* Or so I was informed, though for sure zirconia gems look just as sparkling to me--though I don't know if those were available for costume jewelry back in the early '50s.
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