William Kenneth Gobel

Dr. William Kenneth Gobel, age 82, of 1209 Idlewood Dr., Asheboro died Saturday, December 1, 2007 at Randolph Hospital, Asheboro. Dr. Gobel was born August 17, 1925 at Wilkinsburg, PA the son of the late William Ernest and the late Edith Heiman Gobel. Ken was a native of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania (a borough of Pittsburg, PA). He was a graduate of Wilkinsburg High School. He attended Kenyon College in Gambiers, Ohio before he enlisted in the Army at age 17 and served in World War II. He served under General Patton and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. When he returned from the war, he attended the University of Pittsburgh and accelerated his studies and completed his BS in Chemistry in two years, in 1949. He attended and graduated from Bowman Gray Medical School with a Doctorate in Medicine in 1952. His internship was performed at the former City Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC. Ken practiced medicine in Denton, NC at Griffis Clinic from 1953-1975 as a General Practitioner. He was also Medical Examiner in Davidson County. He moved his practice to Asheboro in 1976 and continued to practice until his retirement. He was also the Medical Examiner for Randolph County. He was Chief of Staff at Randolph Hospital. For a short period of time after his retirement he was Medical Director for Clapps Nursing Home. He was very active throughout his youth with the Boy Scouts, earned his Eagle Scout award and continued participation with scouting for over 60 years in various capacities. Ken was President of the Denton Lions Club and the Denton Jaycees. He was an active member of Central Methodist Church and served as the Chairman of the Finance Committee. He was a member of the Asheboro Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. His hobbies included scuba diving and he was an instructor as well. He also had a passion for underwater photography. Ken organized numerous charitable activities such as the "Smoke House" with the local fire department and Boy Scout Jamborees. He dedicated his life to the compassionate care of his patients and his family. He was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He is survived by his wife: Lou(Eason) Gobel; one daughter: Lisa Gobel Salo;son and his wife, Michael Jeffrey and Melissa Earnhart Gobel; son and his wife, William Kenneth and Rev. Karen Crowell Gobel, Jr.; granddaughter, Kelly Melissa Salo; grandson, Matthew William Arne Salo; Grandson, Daniel Eason Gobel; granddaughter, Chloe Alexandra Gobel; great granddaughter, Melissa Ollie Caroline Misher. The family will receive friends Tuesday, December 4, 2007 from 6:00-8:00 PM at Pugh Funeral Home, 437 Sunset Avenue, Asheboro, NC. The funeral will be Wednesday at 11:00 at First Presbyterian Church, 420 West Walker Ave., Asheboro with Rev. W. Russell Ward Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery, 737 Albemarle Road, Asheboro, NC.