Robert Lee Rabe

Robert Lee "Bob" Rabe, 78, of Topeka, died December 29, 2012 at Midland Hospice House. He was born in Topeka, Kansas on March 24, 1934 the son of Jacob George and Elizabeth (Schaefer) Rabe. Bob grew up in little Russia where he enjoyed fishing on the river. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Bob retired from the Santa Fe Railway Company after 43 years where he worked in several capacities including sheet metal worker, pipefitter, building maintenance, coach carman and union steward. He was a hard worker and enjoyed working alongside his brothers and his dad. Bob also worked part time as a custodian and guard at the Shawnee County Courthouse. Bob loved watching baseball and football and playing baseball and sleding with his children when they were young. He married Kay Karnes on April 30, 1955 at St. Joseph Church. They had two children, Christopher Lee Rabe and his wife Janann of Highlands Ranch, CO., and Nancy Little and her husband Tom of Topeka, three grandchildren, Christopher Matthew Rabe, Sean Michael Rabe, and Catherine Elizabeth Little and a great grandson, Barrett Matthew Rabe. He is also survived by three brothers, James Rabe of San Diego,CA., Gerald R. Rabe of Topeka, and Charles W. Rabe of Oskaloosa. He was preceded in death by a brother Jacob G. Rabe and two sisters, Ruth Robinson and Joan Wolff. Bob will lie in state at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home on Wednesday where the family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Midland Hospice Care or St. Joseph/Sacred Heart Parish and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66603. Online condolences and fond memories may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.