Doug Abell, 57, Ferdinand

On Friday, May 10, 2019, the gentle, smiling spirit of Doug Abell left us for a better place. He passed peacefully at home in the arms of his wife and children, listening to his favorite music.

Doug was born on January 11, 1962, and resided in Ferdinand with his wife of 34 years, Deb (Haas).

He will be greatly missed by Deb and his children, Zach and Natalie; parents, Elwood and Elsie; siblings Wes, Brett (Jennifer), Penny Huff, Missy Welp, and Monica Deel (Jon); a massive family; and countless friends. He was greeted at the gate with hugs and jokes from his sisters, Jill Ingle (Paul) and Marsha, and his best friend, Mark “Beco” Buechlein.

A celebration of his life is being planned with further details on the Facebook page, SuperDoug vs. Cancer.

Because he loved the outdoors, in lieu of gifts, please plant a tree, put out a garden, feed the birds, adopt a cat, or do a kind deed in his honor. It is difficult to capture his vibrant soul in words.

A lover of nature, Doug enjoyed tending his garden, planting hundreds of trees, spending time on his lake, hiking, and bird-watching. He was a runner, wrestler (and coach for 15 years), pulled tug-of-war, and lifted weights with friends and family. He believed strongly in community and great music.

Doug’s adventures took him from the Redwoods to the Finger Lakes and to Mexico and Ecuador. No matter where he was, he never knew a stranger. Anyone was a friend waiting to be made.

An incredible chef, he was the life and soul of the party. Some know him as “The Real” Hot Hot Lover, his family’s artisan seasoning company. He grilled BBQ chicken every summer, baked the Thanksgiving turkey, warmed winters with Soup Sundays, and filled our hearts with frittatas. “I love to cook,” he’d always say. “It goes along with my other hobby: eating.”

Doug was an artist of unimaginable patience and skill. A master woodworker, he could transform simple sketches on his workbench and rustic barn beams into furniture that will be treasured for generations. He worked joyfully in his messy shop, snapping his fingers and dancing to bluegrass or sitting by his heater with his cats.

One of his many mottoes was to “Learn something new every day,” and he passed his wisdom on to all of us. He showed us how to bake bread, carve walking sticks, build ukuleles, restore furniture, care for bonsai, fix our car, fire up the grill, identify trees, and win Trivial Pursuit without even trying.

He always made time to teach, encourage, entertain, help, or listen. Above everything, he loved.