Sad News: Rest in Peace Gabe Proctor 1990-2017

I never met Gabe but I met his brother Sam when I was up near their hometown training last summer. It seems to me that they come from an incredible family, as the descriptions of Gabe's character sound a lot like Sam. I cannot imagine what their family must be going through right now, and from the descriptions that his friends and family have given, Gabe is the last person who deserved to suffer from such an awful disease as depression. Rest in Peace Gabe.

I remember when Garden City was trying to recruit me and I always thought it was a place where mediocre guys ran. I remember the coach messaging me "Do you want to be a national champion?" and I laughed. I went ran at some barely decent D1 school and dropped out after a year. A couple of days ago I heard about Gabe Proctor for the 1st time and his untimely death. Had I known then that a two time national champ ran for Garden City just the other year, I would've packed my bags for Kansas. RIP Gabe, I wish I had known about you then.

I had the pleasure of growing up with Gabe in rural Vermont. I learned to snowboard with him and played soccer and Basketball with him from Junior High on up. I remember being upset when he first branched off from our normal sports routine to focus primarily on running. That was until I saw the joy running brought to him and how it drove him, making him excel immediately and post records I could never dream of. He always told me how free it made him feel and how light he felt with ever stride.. I never looked up to any one of my colleagues or friends as much as Gabe. He chased his dreams, doing what he loved while always reminding others to follow theirs. I'm broken by his loss but forever grateful for the time we had. It had been years since I saw Gabe but we would keep in touch every so often. I followed him closely through his running career and was never surprised to find him excelling on every level. The sky was the limit in my eyes for Gabe and I always kinda chuckled at every PR he would hit as I knew my friend was probably already trying to think of ways to shave some more time off. It brings me peace to see the many heartfelt messages, proving what I already knew, that Gabe kept that kind, loving, hard working personality as he continued to grow and climb the ranks as a runner.

I love you Gabe, you inspired me through some crucial times in my childhood and you continue to do so everyday. Rest in Peace

I had the privilege of teaching gabe yoga last year in mammoth. He was smart, sensitive and had such diligence. He was a young man I would be proud to have called son and the kind of man I'd wish for my daughters. He was just an angel. I could see he'd had quite a life. This breaks my heart as he really always stuck with me. Condolences to his loved ones.

klubkip1 wrote:

Good people suffer from depression too?????????????????? So the rest are bad. What disgusting comment. Cannot believe what you wrote.

Oh my ... someone who obviously loves to be offended even when the person obviously meant nothing offensive.

Pat yourself on the back for your "righteous" anger. Meanwhile, the rest of us will mourn the loss of such a good person.

Geez Gabe, after reading all the above about you, though I didn't know you, you've certainly left a void as well as an inspiring legacy. I hope your family has access to this thread and are proud of their Gabe.

Yes Ok, she meant even talented/gifted people. Can suffer from depression. I take it back and sorry if I caused any offense. And I do mourn anyone such as this that takes their own life.Its very sad.

klubkip1 wrote:

Yes Ok, she meant even talented/gifted people. Can suffer from depression. I take it back and sorry if I caused any offense. And I do mourn anyone such as this that takes their own life.Its very sad.

No worries. Good on you for that reply. Life is too short. Let's all treat one another better, me included. Prayers to the family.