DSU HF Donor Spotlight – Joyce Gab Reflects on Honoring Del Gab’s Career

“We always felt very close to DSU in many ways,” said Joyce Gab while reflecting on her husband Del Gab’s 13-year career at Dickinson State University (DSU). “Tt is through the college that we met many of our closest friends.” In 1969, Dr. Del Gab, along with his wife Joyce and three children, Cindy, Jeff, and Michele, moved to Dickinson immediately after Del finished graduate school at UND and joined the Blue Hawk family.

Del was hired by President Gilland and Dr. Jensen as a faculty member for the Department of Education. In the 1980s Dr. Watrel encouraged him to take the position of Dean of Men, after Del’s previous success as Housing Director and TEKE fraternity advisor. “The position dearest to his heart, however, was always classroom teaching,” said Joyce. Del and Joyce Gab were active members of the Dickinson community and avid Blue Hawks fans, rarely missing a game, including many out-of-town ones, particularly football and basketball.

For over 50 years, Del officiated football and basketball games. During that time, he was President of the ND High School Officials for 10 years, a member of the National Board of Officials for seven years, inducted into the National Hall of Fame for Officials in 2003, and inducted into the ND Hall of Fame for Officials in 2004.

Del also enjoyed golfing and reading and joined Joyce in downhill skiing and traveling. Throughout his time at DSU, Del had thought about entering the world of business, so in the mid-1980s he bought a Check-Rite franchise and a few years later, started the Del Gab Insurance Agency. After retiring, Del and Joyce spent their winters in Alabama and Arizona.

DSU was an important part of Del’s career and life, and he often felt the need to give something back to the university. “When Del passed away in May of 2023, the family and I decided to support a scholarship in his name to help finance a student interested in teaching, said Joyce. “DSU will always remain close to our hearts.”

“The Gab family’s connection to DSU was built over decades of friendship, service, and Blue Hawk spirit,” noted Ty Orton, DSU HF Executive Director. “By establishing the Del Gab Annual Scholarship, the family created an opportunity for future educators and ensured Del’s legacy will continue to impact students for years to come.”

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Written by Sarah Griffis – DSU HF Content Writer