Peterson sports reporter reflects on base sports legacy

Published April 18, 2008
By Walt Johnson
21st Space Wing sports reporter

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Some articles are easier to write than others.

On April 13, the Peterson sports community lost one of its true legends when Gabe Robles suddenly passed away.

My personal recollections of Mr.Robles could fill up an entire edition of a newspaper. Rarely have I been around a person who could make me feel better whenever I talked to him. Gabe always made me feel important when I was in his presence. He never seemed to be in a bad mood or, if he was, he never let me see it.

I will always remember the way he would greet me. He would say, "How are you doing brother?", with a smile and a tone that let you know he wasn't just saying it to say it. He said it because he really wanted to know how you were. I met Gabe in 1992 when I arrived at Peterson. There is a story I would like to share with you about him, but before I do, I want to share some memories of Gabe from other people on base who knew him.

Yvette Telley was a co-worker of Mr. Robles for close to six years. They sat side by side in an office and formed a relationship that was more like brother and sister. Mrs. Telley spent a lot of time with Mr. Robles at work and they shared more laughs, secrets and tears together than anyone outside of his family.

"Gabe was the best. He would give you the shirt off his back if he could. We shared a special bond. I lost more than a coworker in Gabe; I lost one of my dearest friends, a mentor and someone who was and will always be very special in my life. I will never forget him," Mrs. Telley said.

Mike Byrne, deputy commander, 21st Space Communications Squadron, knew Gabe for years. When he and I spoke about Gabe April 14, you could see the joy in his eyes behind the sorrow in his voice as he remembered him.

"Gabe was a big Oakland Raiders fan and I would always give him grief about it every chance I got," Mr. Byrne said. "I enjoyed pulling his chain about the Raiders, and he enjoyed giving it back to me. I'll always remember Gabe telling me that he would contact my dad, who is also a big Raiders fan, if I kept giving him trouble about the Raiders."

Chief Master Sgt. Mercedes Moore, 21st SCS chief enlisted manager, fondly recalled her time with Gabe as some of the best times she ever spent with another human being. Chief Moore said Gabe was one of those once in a lifetime people that always made you feel good about yourself and never had an unkind word to say about anyone.

"Mr. Robles was my buddy and, by far, the nicest person I have ever met," Chief Moore said. "He was always willing to give, always willing to help someone else and was always happy. I have never seen him at any point in his life where he was dissatisfied, wasn't smiling or wasn't telling a joke. He will be sorely missed - his smile, his laughter and just his presence. There was never a time that Gabe didn't leave me feeling better about having been in his presence, and he is truly a person I admired and respect."

Chuck Couch was one of the ball players that played for Mr. Robles during his time at Peterson. Mr. Robles always told me that he considered Couch to be a son to him, and he helped Couch get through some good days and bad days here. Mr. Couch said Mr. Robles will be a key figure in his life even after his passing because of what he gave him while he was with us.

"I emailed my son and told him that I had lost Gabe Monday," Mr. Couch said. "My son told me that he was sorry that I lost a friend, but I told him that we shouldn't be sorry about Gabe leaving. He lived a full life, met some great people, had fun and lived his life the way he wanted to. Gabe was blessed in that he lived a full life, had a great family, retired from two professions and was one of the best people I ever knew. When I think of Gabe, my only regret will be that we didn't have him for a longer time. The times I had with him will always be treasured. He was my introduction to more than just softball. Gabe was more of a mentor to me, and he helped me grow up and be the man I am today. He and my wife are directly responsible for me being the man I am today. Gabe was a great guy and lived a pretty full life for the short period we had him, and if you were lucky enough to have him as a friend - you had a friend for life."

Roger Gallardo played softball for Mr. Robles and he said his influence went well beyond the diamond.

"Gabe Robles was a father figure to all of us," Mr. Gallardo said. "He loved coaching and mentoring the young ball players. I was fortunate enough to know and play ball for this great man. He will be missed, but we will always remember Gabe, and we will continue to carry on his legacy."

Mike Berkey is another person who the Robles children had to share their dad with because he said Gabe will always be a father to him. He met Mr. Robles more than two decades ago and said from day one he knew the pleasant man was going to be special in his life.

"I knew Gabe since 1983," Mr. Berkey recalled. "He was my best friend, my father figure, and a guy who would go out of his way to do anything for anybody. He was the true sense of the word 'military family guy.' He took me under his wing and guided me for the 10 years I was in the military with him. He took care of me and my family, and he is irreplaceable. He was a second dad to me and he is someone I will never forget. My favorite memory of him may be the fact Gabe loved his Kentucky Fried Chicken. We were on our way to Kansas for a softball tournament one year. Gabe always said you don't have to be hungry to eat. We got to a two-story Kentucky Fried Chicken, and he looked like he had seen the pearly gates. Gabe ordered on the first level and then asked if he could go to the second level and order another bucket."

This article was not hard to write because it would take work. It was hard to write because Mr. Robles left us much too soon. Then again, it wouldn't matter when he left; it would have been too soon. I probably could have gone through life without ever knowing Gabe Robles, but I am glad I didn't.

Base sports legacy remembered after passing