Benvenuti credited Gable's leadership and dedication as foundational to the party's current successes.

Robert 'Bob' Elledy Gable, a prominent figure in Kentucky's Republican Party, passed away at the age of 90 on November 29, 2024, at Baptist Health in Lexington.

Gable played a crucial role in the Republican Party's resurgence in Kentucky, serving as State Chairman from 1986 to 1993 during a time when the party was in the minority.

When he became chairman, the party held only one statewide office and had a net worth of approximately $300, but he was instrumental in transforming it into a Republican stronghold.

He also ran for a U.S. Senate seat in 1972 and sought the governorship again in 1995, but was unsuccessful in all three races.

Born in 1934 in New York City, Gable spent his childhood in Oregon and Arizona before graduating with an engineering degree from Stanford University in 1956.

Notably, Gable was a pro-choice advocate, a stance that was considered unusual within Kentucky's Republican circles.

His political career began in the 1960s, where he assisted in campaigns and served as the Commissioner of State Parks under Governor Louie B. Nunn.

Gable's gubernatorial campaign in 1975 was notable for his use of a 'truth bell' during debates, emphasizing his commitment to transparency, although he lost to the incumbent.

After serving in the Navy, he settled in Kentucky where he managed the family business, Stearns Coal and Lumber Company, founded by his great-grandfather.

Gable was a strong advocate for the arts and education, holding leadership roles in organizations such as the Kentucky Arts Council and the National Committee for the Performing Arts.

He is survived by three children and two grandchildren, and was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Emily Brinton Thompson.