Obituary of Kenneth William Rabe

Kenneth William Rabe had the privilege of being born on August 6, 1976, to Steve and Lynn (Kleman) Rabe, two of the most devoted and unconditionally loving parents a person could hope for. Ken spent most of his childhood growing up in Lima, Ohio, with his brothers Andy (Christy) and Kyle (Laura), and the bond of their brotherhood is as strong as any ever witnessed. After their rumble tumble childhood and teenage years, they would become each other’s greatest allies, confidants, and friends, always there for each other, never worrying about themselves, but always about what was best for their brothers. Growing up in Lima also meant Ken would get to be surrounded by a huge group of aunts, uncles, and cousins, and the fun they had with, and the love they had for each other was never ending. Ken was also the greatest uncle to his five nieces and four nephews: Kaitlyn, Mallory, Lauren, Leah, Eva, Thomas, Connor, Caleb, and Brooks. He was everything an uncle should be: warm, fun, playful, willing to hang out, be goofy, and do whatever would make the kids smile. To those kids, he was “Uncle Kenny”, and he was as much a second dad as an uncle. Ken had recently met a kindred soul in a wonderful woman named Jen. They matched each other in warmth, humor, kindness and work ethic, and were working to build a wonderful future together.

Ken graduated from Lima Central Catholic high school in 1995, and after taking a brief stab at being a college athlete at Tri State University, he rehomed himself to his beloved Ohio State University, graduating in 2000 with a BA in biology. From there he would go on to the University of Health Sciences (currently Kansas City University) College of Osteopathic Medicine, graduating in 2004. He completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, followed by a fellowship in Pain Medicine at Wayne State University. After finishing his training, he moved to Arizona, which became his second home. He was most recently a physician with Desert Sky Spine and Pain, where he relieved countless people of their physical aches and injuries, all while bringing his trademark humor and goodwill to his patients and coworkers every day.

Anyone who knew Ken knows how deeply he revered Buckeye football. Saturdays in the fall were a sacred time to him. Ken also loved getting out to golf whenever he had the chance, but he didn’t need a scheduled moment to laugh and have a good time. Those who knew him, briefly or his whole life, knew his favorite thing was just to have some fun, whatever the circumstances. He would do his best to bring a smile to the faces of those around him, to make people feel happy, included, and appreciated.

Ken found his true life’s calling when he became a dad, first to Wyatt Steven, born May 5, 2006, and a few years later, to Kennan Maxwell, born August 3, 2011. These boys became his whole world, the second they entered it; everything he did, he did for his sons. He constantly involved his boys in his love for seeing every moment as an opportunity to learn through play; by golfing, hiking, visiting air shows and museums, going on Disney trips, learning everything about WWII, even just playing with their dogs and watching TV...they did it all together. Whatever the boys wanted or needed, he did everything in his power to make it happen for them. They were his greatest achievement, and he poured his heart and soul into all the things that help make energetic, curious boys into future good men, just like their dad.

Ken was taken from us all February 12, 2022. His friends and family will always miss him deeply, but the hope is we will all live his legacy and honor his memory by taking the time each day to make at least one person smile, just like Ken did.

Services will be held Saturday, March 5, 2022 at Adair Funeral Homes, Avalon Chapel, located at 8090 N Northern Avenue, Tucson Arizona, 85704. Visitation is from 1-3, with a scripture reading immediately following in the chapel, from 3-3:30.

Per the family’s request, in Ken’s honor, dress is casual, ideally in scarlet and gray! We will celebrate the life of one of our very favorite people, the very best dad, son, brother, uncle, and friend.

In lieu of flowers, and to honor Ken’s passion for staying a curious, lifelong learner, the family is asking that donations be made to:

Salpointe Catholic High School

Attn: Jennifer Harris

1545 E Cooper Street

Tucson, AZ

85719

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