James Edwin “Eddie” Gaba, Jr., was born in Winfield, AL, the only son and second of three children born to Dr. James E. Gaba, Sr. and Paula C. Gaba. From an early age, he showed a great passion for life and loved anything to do with the outdoors. When he was eight years old, the family moved to Artesia, NM. Here in the “Land of Enchantment,” Eddie developed his love for hunting, fishing, hiking and skiing.

He was also an excellent student, athlete and leader. One of his distinctions in high school was earning the “Most Outstanding Eagle Scout” award for the state of New Mexico. He played quarterback throughout high school for a winning football team. He became an excellent pianist, winning numerous competitions. He also completed the entrance requirements for the Order of the DeMolay, a young men’s organization affiliated with the Masons.

Desiring to serve his country, he applied for and was appointed to West Point. Like many of his classmates, he found academics at the Academy formidable at times. Nonetheless, despite the challenge, Eddie chose a math concentration. He and classmate Bobby Fisher might play a chess game or two and then spend hours on a single math problem. His interests were varied as evidenced in his joining the Hunting and Fishing, French, Ski, Geology, Skeet and Trap, and Handball Clubs.

It was in the summer before our senior year that I met Eddie. I was outside Camp Buckner’s Firstie Club, dressed in civvies, meeting another cadet to go dancing off post. Eddie asked me if I knew who he was. I smiled and said, “No, should I?” He replied, “Everybody knows Eddie Gaba!” Amused, I laughed but did not think much of the encounter. Later, when we returned to the academic year, he stopped me and asked me out on a date. I was drawn to him immediately, we shared a common faith— a desire to serve others—and loved skiing and travelling. He was handsome, had a great smile and large, captivating, hazel eyes. We had a whirlwind romance and decided to get married right after graduation.

Eddie became an Armor officer and attended Ranger School. At the same time, I went to Airborne School followed by Ordnance Basic. We then served in the 8th Infantry Division in Germany. Eddie served as a platoon leader, then the executive officer for the Headquarters Company of 4-69 Armor. We travelled and skied all over Europe. After three years, Eddie transferred to the Ordnance Corps, seeking skills more transferable to a corporate career.

Following our Advanced Courses, we were assigned to Ft. Riley, KS. Eddie served on battalion staff and completed the Combat Arms Services Staff School and the prerequisite work for his MBA. While in the service, he earned an Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, Army Commendation Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, the Parachute badge and Ranger tab.

Our first daughter, Larisa, was born at Ft. Riley. We then left the Army to pursue corporate careers. Eddie chose the paper making industry with Menasha Corporation in Michigan. Here our second daughter, Gwenyth, was born.

For the next seven years, Eddie’s career required moving frequently, finally arriving in Richmond, VA, in 1996, where Eddie secured a Senior Engineer position with Philip Morris. In this role, he thrived, applying his chemical and mechanical engineering to improve paper machine efficiencies. Also, we owned and operated a small business, began renovations on our home, and found we were expecting our third daughter. Life was busy but good.

Eddie was a dedicated father, consistently taking part in his children’s extracurricular activities. He took them on long hikes and taught them to sit very still and listen to the wildlife.

He practiced a genuine Christian faith. Countless classmates, friends, co-workers and neighbors have shared stories of Eddie helping, encouraging, or praying with them. He used to say, “There is a God, and I am not him.” In essence, this statement summarized how he tried to view himself and his faith.

As a family, we enjoyed boating, hiking and biking. In the summer of 1997, we had a memorable family vacation to Colorado for his sister Taryn’s wedding. We never anticipated that this vacation would be the last time his parents and sisters would see Eddie.

In the summer of 1997, friends at work invited Eddie on a whitewater rafting trip to the New Gulley River in West Virginia. Unfortunately, the rafting company employed an inexperienced rafting guide to captain Eddie’s boat. A series of errors at a critical juncture on the river led to Eddie being thrown from the boat. He was swept under the water, where a rock pinned him down. Rescue personnel shut down the New Gulley dam to slow the rapids. It was not until eight hours later that if was considered safe for a diver to retrieve his body.

The suddenness of Eddie’s death was incredibly painful for me, our daughters, and his family. Complicating matters was the joyous expectation of the birth of our third daughter. Because we had such a strong faith in our Lord and Savior and emotional support from our Church, family and community, my daughters and I slowly moved through the grief. We learned to live again without this wonderful man. Using his initials, I named Eddie’s new daughter, Joye Elyse Gaba. As a gift from God, she was given her dad’s large hazel eyes.

In the end, although it was cut short, Eddie Gaba had lived a great life. He loved God and loved others and so had an enthusiasm for life that left a lasting impact. The story is not over, for I know that one day, I will see him again.

—Sara L. (Fotsch) Gaba, wife & classmate

Proud to Remember