David Mark Sable

David Mark Sable, 69, died Saturday, February 25. He was born to the late Barbara and John Paul Sable Sr. on June 25, 1953, in Bethesda, MD. David was a graduate of Roanoke College and earned a master’s degree from Radford University.

He was happily married to Gail Cathleen Sable, his college sweetheart, for 45 years. They moved to Narrows, VA, as a young couple and raised their two daughters, Alicia and Kate, there. He loved living alongside the beauty of the mountains, where he often hosted his large extended family for summer get-togethers.

He devoted his career to exceptional education and was dedicated to helping the neediest students access the fullest education possible. He started as a school psychologist in rural communities in Southwest Virginia and retired in 2020 as Executive Director of Pupil Services for Radford City Schools.

David was a true outdoorsman. Not only was he an expert hunter and fisherman, he was interested in every aspect of the natural world. He was endlessly curious and believed you can learn something new every day, which he did on his frequent walks with his beloved dog Heidi. His hobbies included astronomy, photography, fly tying, mountain biking, rafting, arrowhead collecting, and countless others. He looked forward to his yearly trip to Pulaski, NY to fly fish with his brothers, family and friends on the Salmon River. 

Some of David’s many endearing qualities were the unwavering pride and joy he took in his family, his desire to leave everywhere he went better than he found it, and his ability to make the most out of every opportunity he was given and then share it with others. The best way to honor David’s memory is to embrace everything life has to offer, be a lifelong learner, and give back all you can.

David is survived by his wife, Gail; his daughter Alicia Gail Sterbutzel and son-in-law Peter; his daughter Katherine Sable Sterbutzel, son-in-law Jan and their children Levin, Penn and Brett; his brothers Mark (Joan) and Luke (Denise), and his sister Carolyn McCrane (Michael), sisters-in-law Jackie, Carolyn, Lynn Peterson, and Janet Bredes (Bruce), brother-in-law Walter Tramposch, Uncle Orange P. Judd Jr. and many beloved nieces and nephews. Other survivors include devoted family friend Nancy Foltz and family. He was preceded in death by his brothers Matthew, John and Michael.

A service officiated by Father Alcantara will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church in Pearisburg, VA, at 11 am, Saturday, March 4, 2023. Givens - Riffes Funeral Service in Narrows is serving the Sable family.  Condolences can be sent to riffefuneralservice.com.

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