David Stabler

David (Dave) Stabler, 91, of Glen Mills, Pennsylvania (formerly of Wilmington, Delaware) passed away on March 1, 2021 surrounded by his loving family.

Dave leaves his devoted wife of 63 years, Jane Miller Stabler; his son, David Scott, II (Beth) of Williamsburg, Virginia, son Craig (Melissa) of West Chester, Pennsylvania and daughter Nancy Jane Zellmer (Jim) of Madison, Wisconsin. He also leaves 6 grandchildren David Scott Stabler, III (Mary Cate) of Richmond, Virginia, Meg Stabler Thompson (Bryan) of Richmond, Virginia, Rick Stabler of Greenville, SC, Lauren Stabler of West Chester, Pennsylvania, Carrie Zellmer of Cambridge, UK and Kate Zellmer of Madison, Wisconsin. He is also survived by Lynn Miller, his brother-in-law.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Nicholas Snowden Stabler and Eleanor Ely Stabler, and four siblings, brothers Snowden, Arthur (Helen), Robert, and sister Flora Conger.   He was also preceded in death by in-laws Barbara and Donald Hammond and Joan Miller.

Born and raised in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, Dave learned early the value of hard work on the family farm. Childhood passions included trapping and helping his dad raise turkeys for the holiday season.

Dave attended Penn State University where he was a proud member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity graduating in 1952 with a B.S. in Agronomy. He subsequently joined the US Army, serving in and travelling through much of post-war Europe.

He met his wife, Jane Brown Miller of Narbeth, Pennsylvania, on a blind date arranged by friends. Following a brief courtship punctuated by many overseas love letters, they were married on June 1, 1957 at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church.

He enjoyed a forty-year plus career with the E.I. DuPont Company serving in progressively responsible agribusiness sales roles based in Little Rock, Oklahoma City, Chicago, and, ultimately, the home office in Wilmington.

Along the way, he was very involved in his faith, serving the Presbyterian Church as Deacon and Elder. He was a leader within the Sharpley Civic Association and a volunteer with FISH. He was an active supporter of his children’s activities including Indian Guides, Cub Scouts and year-round swimming. Among other life lessons, he taught his children the importance of volunteerism and being involved with a passion in whatever you do.

A fifty-year DuPont Country Club member, he was an avid golfer, who enjoyed couples golf with Jane, his retiree group and the annual Ryder Cup-styled competition with the European DuPont retirees. He was also a passionate Penn State Football supporter and year-round Philadelphia sports fan.

Among his many interests, Dave was a voracious reader. He was always conversant about sports, financial markets and politics.  He also enjoyed swimming, especially in the ocean where he delighted in jumping waves with his grandkids. Dave was also an accomplished gardener, maintaining a lawn or garden plot every year of his adult life. He delighted in the annual process of starting seedlings and nurturing them to harvest.  His tomatoes were prized by family and friends and he took particular delight in presenting Jane with seasonal flowers.